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Israel’s Security Cabinet has approved plans to control and indefinitely hold all of Gaza.
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The plans reportedly call for Israeli troops to gradually reclaim all of Gaza, flattening any remaining buildings and moving all 2.1M Palestinian residents to a “humanitarian area” in southern Gaza.
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Israel’s also switching up the flow of aid into Gaza. After a nine-week pause, Israel plans to use private companies and military hubs to distribute aid—changes that the U.N.’s humanitarian office criticized as an “attempt to weaponize the aid.”
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An Israeli official said the new offensive wouldn’t begin until after President Trump’s planned trip to the Middle East next week, opening "a window of opportunity" for Hamas to discuss releasing the remaining 59 hostages and another ceasefire. Hamas said there would be “no point in any negotiations“ while Israel continues its “starvation war.”
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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Join us in prayer for peace in Gaza, confident that God “hears the prayer of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29).
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“Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.” Book of Common Prayer, page 816
The new leader of the Catholic Church is the first to hail from the US of A.
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After the Sistine Chapel’s smoke burned black Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the chimney finally billowed white around 6 p.m. Vatican time yesterday, meaning the 133 voting cardinals had chosen the 267th pope.
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Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, who chose the papal name Leo XIV, was born in Chicago and ordained an Augustinian priest in 1982 before serving as a missionary and eventually a bishop in Peru. Two years ago, Pope Francis made him a cardinal and brought him to the Vatican to run the office that selects and manages bishops globally.
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In his first statements—given in Italian and Spanish—Pope Leo said “peace be with you all,” gave honor to his predecessor, and emphasized the need to build bridges.
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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
The occasion of choosing a new pope is a great opportunity for us to commit to praying for all of our leaders, local and global. May God grant wisdom to all who lead His people.
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“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (CSB) (read full passage)
Tuesday night into Wednesday, India launched an airstrike on Pakistan in response to last month’s attack on Hindu tourists in Kashmir—an attack Pakistan continues to deny any involvement in.
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India says its offensive this week targeted nine “terrorist infrastructure” sites; Pakistan says six areas were hit—none of which harbored militants—killing 31 people and injuring 57 others. Pakistan further claimed it shot down 25 Indian drones on Wednesday, while India claims Pakistan sent its own drones and missiles across the border, killing at least 16 Indian civilians.
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As India-Pakistan tensions rise, global leaders are urging the South Asian neighbors to keep the peace. The U.N. has called for “maximum military restraint,” saying further conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors could “easily spin out of control.”
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Verse to consider when your neighbor turns on you… “He will settle disputes among many peoples and provide arbitration for strong nations that are far away. They will beat their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not take up the sword against nation, and they will never again train for war.”
Micah 4:3 (CSB) (read full passage)
In his first address, he called for “prayer and commitment” to spread “a great flame of faith and love” across the globe. He explained his papal name of choice honors Pope Leo XIII, who famously fought for workers’ rights during the Industrial Revolution; now, Leo XIV says AI is today’s frontier for justice and human dignity.
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Over the weekend, Leo visited Pope Francis’ tomb, laid a white rose, and prayed quietly. He also stopped at a shrine and greeted locals in Genazzano (just outside Rome).
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Then, in his first Sunday message to crowds at St. Peter's Square, he declared, “Never again war!” and called for “a just and lasting peace” in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, demanding hostages be freed and aid delivered.
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Verse to consider whether you’re the newbie at work or you’ve been around for years… “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:3-4 (CSB) (read full passage)
Meanwhile, President Trump signed an executive order formally launching DHS’s new self-deportation program, stating migrants “can simply show up at an airport and receive a free flight out,” and warning that those who don’t will face “severe consequences.”
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The White House also signaled that it’s considering suspending habeas corpus—the right to challenge unlawful detainment—under the Constitution’s exemption for times of “invasion.” Expect lawsuits.
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CHOOSE HUMILITY
When discussing divisive topics like immigration, remember that both your stance and how you take your stance reflect on Christ. Believing you’re right is not an excuse to be harsh, impatient, or unkind (James 3:9–10, 13).
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“O Lord, let those who claim your name do no harm to it by their abrasiveness and impatience, but rather, speaking your precious truth in love, let them present your story winsomely that it might be well-loved, and that others might be drawn to your goodness, your beauty.” Every Moment Holy, Volume 3, page 376
It’s been over a month since the 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar, and things are definitely not back to normal.
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More than 17 million people have been impacted by the quake, which struck near the city of Sagaing on March 28. Since then, nearly 4,000 lives have been lost, and many communities are still without adequate support.
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Around 80% of affected households still lack basics like food, shelter, and medical care.
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Meanwhile, the country is still in the throes of a four-year-long civil war—a conflict that’s displaced more than 3 million people. Though major news coverage has quieted, aid groups say the damage and needs are “staggering.”
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BE DOERS
We’re asking the TPO Community to join us in partnering with World Concern, which has boots on the ground in Myanmar, providing temporary shelters, hygiene kits, emergency healthcare, support for mothers and newborns, life-saving nutrition, and more.
“If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,’ but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?”
James 2:15-16 (CSB) (read full passage)
Washington and Beijing have agreed to 90 days of trade kumbaya.
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Under the deal, the U.S. and China have agreed to mutually lower reciprocal tariffs from 125% to 10%, though the U.S. will maintain an additional 20% tariff on Chinese goods (so, 30% total) meant to pressure Beijing on the flow of fentanyl into the States. China has also agreed to relax some nontariff trade barriers, such as easing the permitting process for American companies to mine rare earth minerals.
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The S&P 500 took a gulp of fresh air after the announcement, jumping 3.2% on Monday.
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Meanwhile, the stock market was less reactive to news that annual inflation dropped to 2.3% in April—its lowest rate since February 2021. Notably, egg prices fell 12.7% last month but are still up a budget-scrambling 50% from a year ago.
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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Our hope is never contingent on an economic outcome; it’s much more secure than that. Regardless of whether things get worse or better during your lifetime, everything eventually ends well for followers of Christ.
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“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 (CSB) (read full passage)
President Trump is makin’ his way downtown around the Middle East.
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His economically focused four-day visit kicked off in Saudi Arabia yesterday, where POTUS met with Saudi officials to secure $600B+ in investment commitments into the U.S., including a $100B arms package.
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Today, Trump heads to Qatar, where he plans to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet from the Qatari royal family to use as Air Force One—sparking widespread backlash. Some Trump loyalists criticize accepting any gift from Qatar—a chief sponsor of Hamas—while security experts worry the president cannot be fully protected on a foreign-owned jet. Democrats say it would violate the Constitution’s ban on the president accepting foreign gifts without Congressional consent.
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President Trump said the government would be “stupid” not to accept a free plane, blaming Boeing for delays in replacing the current 35-year-old presidential fleet.
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Verse to consider whether you have a world-altering work trip or spend your day folding laundry… “Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
Proverbs 16:3 (CSB) (read full passage)
R&B singer Cassie, 38, took the witness stand yesterday in the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, a day after jurors watched a 2016 video of Combs assaulting her in an LA hotel. Through tears, she testified about the details of their relationship, saying Combs “controlled a lot of my life” and became violent “frequently.”
Combs has pleaded not guilty to the five charges he faces, including racketeering and sex trafficking. The trial is expected to last ~2 months.
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Meanwhile, Kim Kardashian testified for five hours in a Paris courtroom against 10 men accused of tying her up and robbing her at gunpoint in 2016. She said she "absolutely" thought she would die and described her new security team as “pricey.”
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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Our world is overwhelmed by violence and loss and by swirling and spiraling anxieties. Turn to Jesus for mercy, who Himself suffered violence and loss at the hands of those who hated Him. Pray that the hope Jesus offers through His compassionate people will turn hearts to the Lord, the only source of true comfort.
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“On this mountain… [the LORD almighty will swallow] up death once and for all. The Lord God will wipe away the tears... On that day it will be said, ‘Look, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he has saved us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him. Let’s rejoice and be glad in his salvation.’”
Isaiah 25:7–9 (CSB) (read full passage)
The Cuauhtémoc—a Mexican Navy tall ship (think: traditional ship with sails)—was touring New York City’s East River with 277 people aboard when the ship veered off course and into the bridge, snapping its three masts and leaving some crew members dangling from safety harnesses. There were no injuries on the bridge, which was temporarily shut down.
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The Cuauhtémoc had been docked in the Big Apple for tours since Tuesday. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said, “Our solidarity and support go out to [the victims’] families.”
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Preliminary reports indicate that the ship lost power, causing it to drift into the bridge when it was supposed to head to sea; the outage’s cause is under investigation.
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Verse to consider in the face of unexpected tragedy… “On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.”
Edward Mote, 1834 (Scriptural basis: Heb. 13:8, Matt. 7:24, Psalm 18:2)
Around 1:00 a.m. Friday, ten inmates—including some accused murderers—escaped the jail by pulling a defective cell door off its tracks and ripping a toilet and sink out of the wall. The hole opened into a loading dock where they scaled a fence and ran across I-10 into a neighborhood. The escape wasn’t discovered until 8:30 a.m. during a routine headcount.
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Authorities suspect they had inside help; someone was watching surveillance cameras during the escape but did not alert deputies, and the Chief of Corrections suggested the escapees had “some type of tool.” Three jail employees have been placed on unpaid leave.
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Police have notified victims of the inmates’ alleged crimes and relocated one family thought to be in danger while the manhunts continue.
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Verse to consider when you’re considering taking matters into your own hands… “A person’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 (read full passage)
