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U.S. NEWS

Assassination Attempt

On Saturday, former President Trump survived the closest assassination attempt on a U.S. president since Reagan was shot in 1981.

What happened?

About five minutes into Trump speaking at a campaign rally in Butler, PA, multiple shots rang out. Trump grabbed his ear as Secret Service surrounded him. The former President had blood visible on the side of his face but raised a fist and waved as he was evacuated.

Doctors later confirmed that a bullet grazed Trump’s ear but that he’s otherwise “fine.” A 50-year-old former fire chief attending the rally was fatally shot, and two others were critically wounded. A Secret Service sniper shot and killed the shooter.

What do we know about the shooter?

Not much. The FBI says he was a 20-year-old Pennsylvania resident who had explosives in his car. Several witnesses reported attempting to alert authorities after seeing the shooter with a rifle crawling on a nearby roof minutes before shots were fired.

How have leaders responded?

President Biden condemned the violence, called for unity, and said he was praying for Trump; the political rivals spoke briefly by phone on Saturday night. 

Trump called for unity and resilience, and politicians from across the spectrum have urged Americans “to turn the temperature down” on political rhetoric. 
 
What happens now?

Investigations into the shooter’s motives and the Secret Service’s preparations for the rally are underway. Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle will testify before Congress on July 22.

The Republican National Convention will proceed as scheduled today in Milwaukee, WI; former President Trump said he’ll still attend and accept the party’s nomination on Thursday.
 
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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
In times of fear and violence, we turn to “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). Join us in praying for the families of the lost and wounded and for our nation.

Almighty God… Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom, in thy Name, we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home… all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
The Book of Common Prayer, “For Our Nation,” #39.

SPORTS

Soccer and Tennis?

Yesterday was a big day for sports across the pond.

The Euro Football Championship—arguably the biggest soccer tournament not named “World Cup”—ended yesterday in Berlin, with Spain defeating England. This was the Three Lions' second straight loss in the finals; they’ve never won the tournament.

Speaking of England and sports played on grass (didn’t you know?), Wimbledon ended yesterday. 

In a rematch of last year’s final, 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic for the second year in a row, this time in straight sets. Djokovic remains stuck on 24 major championships, while Alcaraz is now 4-0 in championship finals. Princess Catherine made her second public appearance since announcing her cancer diagnosis; her husband, Prince William, was in Berlin.

Barbora Krejcikova defeated Jasmine Paolini in the women’s Wimbledon final on Saturday for her second major.

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Verse to consider whether your favorite team wins or loses or it goes to PKs… “Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Psalm 42:11 (CSB) (read full passage)

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Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter charges were abruptly dismissed mid-trial on Friday. The judge ruled the prosecution withheld evidence—a batch of bullets—potentially connected to the shooting and determined there was “no way for the court to right this wrong.” The case cannot be retried. Baldwin wept at the stunning end of his three-year criminal case; civil lawsuits are ongoing.
 

The Gaza Pier is shutting down. The over $200 million project—built to rush food, fuel, and other humanitarian aid into Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war—was only operational for 20 days due to rough seas and logistical issues. U.S. officials say the biggest issue now is not getting aid into Gaza but distributing it effectively throughout Gaza.
 

A federal judge threw out Rudy Giuliani’s bankruptcy case, paving the way for creditors—including two Georgia election workers who won a $148 million defamation suit against him—to pursue foreclosures and potentially seize his assets. The judge said the former NYC mayor failed to meet even basic “reporting obligations”; Giuliani said he’s paying the price for “standing by” former President Trump.
 

The son of Asia’s richest man tied the knot this weekend. Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s three-day ceremony followed months of ultra-lavish pre-wedding festivities, which included a custom-built glass palace, performances by Rihanna and Justin Bieber, a four-day Mediterranean cruise for 1,200 guests, and star-studded RSVPs (Kardashian, Beckham, Zuckerberg, Gates, Bollywood stars, etc.)... Budget estimates total nearly $600 million.
 

AT&T was breached. The telecom giant said hackers swiped phone records covering six months of 2022 for “nearly all” of its 110 million customers. The stolen data does not include the content of calls/texts or personal info (SNN, birthday, etc.) but does show whom customers called/texted, how frequently, and, in some cases, their estimated location.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Big trucks. Bigger crane…

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