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U.S. NEWS

A New Storm

As cleanup efforts continue in North Carolina, officials are facing a new challenge: misinformation storms. 

Over the weekend, FEMA paused door-to-door outreach in two counties following false reports of “a truck load of militia” targeting federal workers. One armed man who claimed to be “hunting FEMA” was arrested, and further investigation determined that he was acting alone. FEMA said it would be resuming normal operations, stating the threat was “more limited than initially reported.” 

FEMA says online claims—like the government blocking aid, seizing land, and only giving victims $750—have run rampant in Helene’s wake, prompting them to create a “Myth or Fact” webpage.

NC Gov. Roy Cooper (D) has urged people to stop the spread of rumors, which he says is making people “wary of applying for aid” and “contributes to threats against response workers.” 

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Christians can be at the forefront of the effort to de-escalate political tensions and violence in the U.S. We know our time as citizens of Earth is just a blip on the timeline of eternity, which gives us hope and motivates holiness. 

“For the grace of God has appeared… instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Titus 2:11-13 (CSB) (read full passage)

ELECTION

Election Countdown

Early voting has begun in over 20 states, but campaigning is still in full swing. 

VP Harris is ramping up efforts to court Black male voters after polling suggested she’s losing ground to Trump with that demographic. Monday, she released a new “opportunity agenda for Black men,” which includes offering forgivable business loans to Black entrepreneurs, creating apprenticeships, and addressing health concerns that disproportionately affect Black men. Tonight, Harris will sit for an interview with Fox News, her first-ever interview on the network.

Meanwhile, Trump is courting female voters; today, he’ll release a prerecorded women-only Fox News town hall that focuses on issues important to women, like the economy, abortion, and immigration. This follows Monday’s Pennsylvania town hall, which ended with extended music and dancing after Q&A time was interrupted by two separate medical emergencies.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
No matter who you support in the upcoming election, your first allegiance should be to the King of Kings. When each side is calling for your undying support, remember that you are first and foremost beholden to the One who died for you. 

“He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.”
1 John 2:2 (CSB) (read full passage)

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WORLD NEWS

Old Enemies and New Friends

North Korea is cutting ties to the South. 

After the Hermit Kingdom warned last week that it would permanently close its border with the K-Pop Kingdom, the North blew up sections of inter-Korean roads and railways on its side of the border Tuesday. South Korea fired warning shots in response.

Tensions have been mounting along the 38th parallel since North Korea’s Kim Jong Un declared Seoul a “primary foe” last December. Last week, Pyongyang accused its neighbor of flying drones overhead and dropping anti-North leaflets; Seoul has accused Pyongyang of floating thousands of trash-carrying balloons southward since May.

Meanwhile, the North is cultivating friendship with Moscow. North Korean troops are reportedly fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine, supplying military resources in exchange for access to aid and technology to boost its nuclear and space programs.
 
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Prayer to offer when tensions rise in your neighborhood…“Grant that we will love you with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and love our neighbors as we love ourselves, even our enemy neighbors. And we ask you, God, in these days of emotional tension, when the problems of the world are gigantic in extent and chaotic in detail, to be with us… in our moments of joy and in our moments of sorrow, until the day when there shall be no sunset and no dawn. Amen.”
Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

NASA launched the Europa Clipper Monday to explore Jupiter’s icy moon for signs of alien life. The mission will focus on Europa’s subsurface ocean, believed to be hidden beneath a thick layer of ice. The solar-powered probe will complete its 1.8 billion-mile, 5+ year journey to Jupiter in 2030. “Are we there yet?” - Europa Clipper (probably).
 

The U.N. described the situation in northern Gaza as “desperate” after delivering the first humanitarian aid allowed into the area in 2+ weeks. The aid breakthrough follows a letter to Israel from the U.S. expressing “deep concern” over Gaza’s “deteriorating humanitarian situation”; it gives Israel 30 days to boost aid access or face losing some U.S. military assistance. 
 

It’s Panda-monium in the nation’s capital, as two giant pandas—Bao Li and Qing Bao—from China made their way to the National Zoo yesterday aboard a FedEx plane dubbed The Panda Express. Pandas first came to the National Zoo in 1972 through Nixon’s diplomacy efforts with China, and last November, a panda couple was returned to China, having been here on loan since 2000. 
 

Check your fridge. A massive meat recall linked to possible listeria contamination has impacted ready-to-eat meals in the U.S. The recall, initiated by BrucePac, includes almost 10 million pounds of meat and poultry items sold in Walmart, Trader Joe's, and Target. There have been no reported illnesses or adverse reactions in connection with the recall so far. 
 

Walgreens is on a 'get well' plan. The drugstore announced Tuesday that it plans to close 1,200 stores in the next three years in the face of increased retail competition and lower prescription payouts. The cuts are part of the $1 billion "cost-cutting-spree" Walgreens announced after reporting a $3 billion loss last quarter.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Guess the weight of this year’s biggest pumpkin…

What We’re Using
World Relief’s Election Tool Kit*

During an election season where half-truths and overwhelming information are the norm, I’ve appreciated World Relief’s election toolkit—especially on immigration.

With over 80 years of experience, World Relief provides tools to help U.S. voters approach this issue near God’s heart with compassion and understanding. Inside the guide, you’ll find sections on:

• Key immigration terms

• Common myths busted

• Practical next steps

• Prayer guides

Join me in learning to navigate immigration issues with clarity and courage.

Matt DeLange | Editor

How To Surf the Web
With a Surfshark VPN*

You need an IP address to connect to the internet… but your IP address also gives away information.

IP addresses can reveal your approximate location (city or zip code) and internet activity (websites visited). Companies and governments can also restrict or change what content is available (blocking a user from an online game, banning a website in a certain country, or changing search results based on past activity) using IP addresses.

Don’t believe us? Click here, scroll down, and see that Surfshark knows exactly where you are. 

Become invisible online with Surfshark’s VPN for $1.99/month (plus, get 4 months extra).