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U.S. NEWS

Immigration

The Trump administration hasn’t wasted time implementing significant immigration enforcement measures.

In an executive order signed Monday, 1,500 active-duty troops were deployed to the southern border, joining the 2,500 already stationed there, where they will assist Border Patrol with helicopter support, constructing barriers, and using military aircraft for the deportation of over 5,000 migrants. The order gives key cabinet officials two weeks to make recommendations to the President regarding “any other authority” needed to secure the border. 

Meanwhile, in the admin’s first 24 hours, ICE arrested 308 illegal immigrants across the U.S.—primarily serious criminals—according to Border Czar Tom Homan. Additionally, the House bipartisanly passed the Laken Riley Act (263-156) on Wednesday. The bill, which allows for the detention of undocumented immigrants accused of theft-related crimes, now awaits President Trump’s signature.

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
Although you probably have no control over U.S. border policy, you are an important part of Christ’s mission to demonstrate his love for the world. Reflect his inexhaustible compassion by loving your neighbor humbly and unconditionally. 

“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”
1 John 4:19-20 (CSB) (read full passage)

WORLD NEWS

Ceasefire Continues

It’s day six of the first six-week phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, and so far, both parties are holding up their ends of the deal. 

More than 2,400 aid trucks have entered Gaza since Sunday; thousands of Gaza’s nearly 1.9 million displaced residents have returned to their war-ravaged homes; and three Hamas-held hostages have been released.

Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. (the ceasefire facilitators) are reportedly on track to start phase two negotiations up to two weeks early, though officials claim phase two—which includes more hostage releases—will be a lengthier process than phase one.  

Further north, Russia received a warning from President Trump yesterday to “settle” its war with Ukraine or face high tariffs and sanctions. The Kremlin said they’re “very closely monitoring” remarks from Washington, but they have yet to take action. 

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE:
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 war-torn places 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)

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U.S. NEWS

Week One

On Wednesday, re-President Trump placed all federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program employees on paid leave. An executive order also mandated a review of federal DEI programs for alleged discrimination and proposed plans to encourage private sectors to quash DEI initiatives. 

While praised by supporters, many of Trump’s fast actions are also facing fast pushback. 

Former Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and the country’s largest police union criticized his pardon of ~1,500 January 6 defendants; one pardoned woman rejected the gesture, stating it would “insult the Capitol police officers.” 

Meanwhile, a judge blocked Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional” (expect an appeal). Elon Musk cast doubt on Trump’s newly announced $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative—the White House snapped back, promising “these investments are coming” along with 100,000 new jobs.

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Verse to consider as administrations and policies shift and change… “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock.”
Matthew 7:24-25 (CSB) (read full passage)

A 17-year-old male student fatally shot a female student in the cafeteria of Antioch High School in Nashville on Wednesday. The shooter then shot himself. A third student suffered a “grazing wound” and is in stable condition, and a fourth was injured in a fall amidst the chaos. This is the first fatal school shooting of 2025.
 

Get ready to pay more to watch the final season of Stranger Things. In an announcement Tuesday, Netflix said it’s increasing the monthly prices on its tiered plans by $1-2 following record-breaking subscriber growth (19 million new binge-watchers) and a 16% jump in revenue in Q4 2024. Netflix shares also took a hike, climbing 12% following the news.
 

Prince Harry and News Group Newspapers (NGN) are settling their six-year legal battle. The Duke of Sussex received a “substantial” 8-figure settlement from Rupert Murdoch’s company for alleged invasive information gathering, including hacking phones, hiring PIs, and using deceptive methods. NGN also apologized on behalf of U.K. tabloid The Sun for unlawful behavior against his mum, Princess Diana.
 

A new blaze has forced 31,000 more people to evacuate in Southern California. The Hughes fire—which started Wednesday north of Santa Clarita—rapidly grew to more than 10,000 acres and forced parts of I-5 to shut down. As of yesterday, it was 14% contained. Meanwhile, the ongoing Palisades and Eaton Fires were 70% and 95% contained, respectively.
 

Post-inauguration staffing changes are coming to a newsroom near you. CNN announced yesterday it’s laying off 6% of its staff (about 210 employees) to modernize the business. Layoffs will lower TV production costs at a time when the network’s ratings lag behind Fox and MSNBC, allowing a $70 million investment in digital subscription products. NBC is reportedly prepping for layoffs on a smaller scale.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Who knew robots could paint?

What We’re Fighting
Malnutrition in Somalia with World Concern*

Two in five children in Somalia suffer from acute malnutrition as their country faces crisis after crisis.

Tens of millions of people are battling a food shortage, unsafe water, and decimated livestock and crops, plus ongoing conflict destabilizing the region. It’s one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world today, but news coverage and humanitarian aid are focused on high-conflict areas in Europe and the Middle East. 

So this week, we’re partnering with World Concern—a faith-based non-profit working in the hardest-hit areas—to provide food, water, and emergency supplies. TPO is matching the first $5K given to get urgently needed aid to Somalia.

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