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POLITICS

Biden Campaign

President Biden is still facing fallout from his halting debate performance.

Friday, Biden sat down for a 22-minute interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. In it, he credited his “bad night” to feeling sick and exhausted from overseas travel. He rejected calls to withdraw from the race and evaded Stephanopoulos’ repeated request that he receive an independent evaluation of his cognitive and neurological functions. 

While Biden made no major gaffes, he didn’t squash some Democrats' fears that he is no longer able to handle the presidency or defeat former President Trump.

Since the debate, five House Democrats and multiple prominent donors have called on President Biden to step aside, praising his record but saying it’s time to pass the torch. Rumors of more elected Dems speaking out swirl, but most are publicly supporting Biden for now.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Voting is an important and powerful way to create change, but, as Christians, our hope is never contingent on an election's outcome or a political party's success.

“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)

WORLD NEWS

Elections Across the Pond

Britain’s got a new Prime Minister, innit. 

Keir Starmer‘s Labour Party heartily won the U.K.’s general election, bringing the island nation (they are islands…) its first change in government in 14 years. 

The results were the Conservative Party's biggest defeat ever and revealed a shift away from Britain’s two main political parties (Labour and Conservative), which only garnered 60% of the votes. Despite the rise of additional parties, the Labour Party won the most seats in the House of Commons, giving PM Starmer an easier legislative road to “deliver change.” 

In France, the liberal New Popular Front outperformed expectations in snap elections, keeping the conservative National Rally party from gaining control. Early predictions showed high voter turnout and no party securing a majority—which could yield a tricky governing situation for President Macron’s remaining three years.

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Verse to consider whether you find foreign politics captivating or confusing… “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (CSB) (read full passage)

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WORLD NEWS

Peace Talks

A potential ceasefire is again the talk of Gaza.

Reports late Saturday indicated that Hamas had dropped its key demand that Israel agree up-front to a permanent end to the fighting, saying it would allow negotiators to work towards that during the first phase. Phase 1 includes a six-week ceasefire and the release of some hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

By Sunday, those reports were already being contested. Some officials said Hamas had not dropped the demand; others said Hamas was waiting on a response from Israel. 

Yesterday marked nine months since the war began, and Israelis have mixed views: 39% say the response has “been about right,” 34% say it has “not gone far enough,” 19% say it’s “gone too far,” and 7% “don’t know.”

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
War is a heavy burden that impresses upon us our world’s need for restoration. Jesus came to bear that burden of sin, lighten our load, and restore our world. Pray that the Middle East would experience that restoration and glorify the Messiah Jesus. 

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28–30 (CSB) (read full passage)

Soccer fanatics are enjoying hemisphere-to-hemisphere coverage of two major tournaments. France faces Spain in the 2024 Euro Cup semifinals on Tuesday, while England plays the Netherlands on Wednesday. On this side of the pond, Colombia faces Uruguay in the Copa America semifinals on Tuesday, while Canada faces Lionel Messi (and the rest of Argentina’s team) on Wednesday.
 

Beryl made landfall over southeast Texas overnight. Yesterday, meteorologists urged coastal Texans to prepare for the re-strengthening system's landfall and accompanying storm surge. Record-breaking Hurricane Beryl tore through the Caribbean last week, killing at least 11. It’ll move inland over the next few days, potentially bringing depression-strength wind and rain as far north as Illinois. 
 

The labor market continues to (gradually) cool off. June’s jobs report showed employers added 206,000 jobs, slightly above expectations (200,000) but fewer than last month (218,000). Unemployment rose to 4.1%—its highest rate since October 2021—and average hourly earnings rose 3.9%.
 

Tesla stock entered Ludicrous mode (not to be confused with Ludicrous+ mode) last week, climbing 27% over five days. The gains erased six months of losses. The stock’s rally came after Tesla reported it had delivered 443,000 cars in Q2—better than Wall Street expected but still down 4.8% from last year.
 

It had been a couple of months since Caitlin Clark made history, but don’t worry… she’s back. She became the first rookie in WNBA history to record a triple-double (at least 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists). She had 19 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds in the Fever’s comeback win against the New York Liberty on Saturday.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

This year’s Comedy Wildlife Award candidates…

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How We’re Getting the Worm
Early bird registrations for the Global Leadership Summit*

Do you wish your country and community's leaders led more like Christ? Change starts with you! You can get equipped to be a healthy, whole leader at the Global Leadership Summit.

At The Global Leadership Summit on August 8-9, you will be inspired and equipped by world-class experts like Joni Eareckson Tada and Marcus Buckingham (co-creator of StrengthsFinder). You’ll learn key leadership skills like how to fail well, how to disagree productively, and how to leverage the most powerful force in leadership: love. 

Sign up by July 17 to snag the worm-eaters’ early bird discount!