The Daily
Brief: Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Donald Trump Jr. arranged a meeting last year after his father won the Republican presidential nomination with a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin, The New York Times reported Saturday. The report on the meeting, held June 9 at Trump Tower in Manhattan, was based on "confidential government records described" to the Times. The meeting also was attended by Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's campaign chairman at the time, and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law.
The Times described the session as "the first confirmed private meeting between a Russian national and members of Mr. Trump's inner circle during the campaign. "It is also the first time that his son Donald J. Trump Jr. is known to have been involved in such a meeting," the Times reported.
Representatives of both Trump Jr. and Kushner confirmed the meeting. Trump Jr. described the meeting to the Times as primarily about an adoption program. Because he does not serve in his father's White House and does not have a security clearance, Trump Jr. is not required to disclose his foreign contacts. (Read more)
- Lord, we ask that these ridiculous accusations will cease against the President and his family. It has grown totally out of control.
- "Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men." (Proverbs 22:29)
2. Where is Michael Flynn? Ex-national security adviser near center of Russian meddling scandal missing - Washington Times
The Russian election meddling drama's mystery man - former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn- has not been seen publicly in nearly a half-year amid a swirl of investigations, media reports and speculation about his activities.
How different it was 12 months ago when the retired Army general took center stage at the Republican National Convention to lead a blistering chant of "lock her up" in reference to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Meanwhile, the failed coup attempt in Turkey last year secured him roughly a half-million dollars in consultation work.
Since then, the dramatic fall of the shortest-serving national security adviser in White House history has been well-documented, as have the unprecedented number of Washington investigations into his dealings.
The question now is: Where has he been? (Read more)
- Lord we pray that Michael Flynn is OK, and that You will touch his heart and mind to bring Your peace from the uproar that has been around him for so many months. May he seek Your Face, Lord to learn from his situation.
- "Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a smooth path because of my enemies." (Psalm 27:11)
3. Comey's private memos on Trump conversations contained classified material - The Hill
More than half of the memos former FBI Director James Comey wrote as personal recollections of his conversations with President Trump about the Russia investigation have been determined to contain classified information, according to interviews with officials familiar with the documents.
This revelation raises the possibility that Comey broke his own agency's rules and ignored the same security protocol that he publicly criticized Hillary Clinton for in the waning days of the 2016 presidential election.
Comey testified last month he considered the memos to be personal documents and that he shared at least one of them with a friend. He asked that friend, a lawyer at Columbia University, to leak information from one memo to the news media in hopes of increasing pressure to get a special prosecutor named in the Russia case after Comey was fired as FBI director. (Read more)
- Lord we ask that this entire attack force against the President be torn down. We thank You for this major revelation, and pray for more truth to be revealed.
- "Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications." (Psalm 130:2b)
4. McCain Says Republican Healthcare Bill Likely Dead - Newsmax
A senior U.S. Republican senator predicted on Sunday that the Republican bill to roll back Obamacare would likely fail, adding to growing signs that the bill is in trouble.
"My view is that it's probably going to be dead," Senator John McCain, a senior U.S. Republican, said on the CBS program, "Face the Nation."
The Senate bill, which faces unified Democratic opposition, has been further imperiled during a week-long recess where several Republican senators have had to return to their states and face constituents strongly opposed to the bill. Senators return to Washington on Monday. (Read more)
- Father we ask for a solid, balanced solution to the healthcare mess that was Obamacare. We ask that You move across the hearts of all in Congress to show them the exact truth, rather than stating things according to personal political bias.
- "Cast out the scoffer and contention will leave; yes strife and reproach will cease." (Proverbs 22:10)
5. De Blasio skips slain NYPD cop's vigil to praise police in Germany - Fox News
Mayor de Blasio flew all the way to Hamburg, Germany, to praise that city's police in a speech - while cops back home continued to mourn, without him, the assassination of one of their own in The Bronx.
"Our right to protest is directly related to the fact that our police protect us," Hizzoner told a crowd of thousands at the outdoor Hamburg Shows Attitude rally protesting the G-20 summit Saturday. "So help me by joining in applause and thanks for the police," he said as the crowd cheered. "There have also been great acts of bravery and restraint," he said. "Remember, our police are working men and women, too."
But Hamburg police weren't feeling the love, despite the praises of "Burgermeister de Blasio." By Saturday night - after two days of rioting - more than 200 Hamburg cops had been injured by a rowdy minority of bottle - and firebomb-tossing protesters, according to CNN.
And back home, the mayor missed an evening vigil honoring slain NYPD Officer Miosotis -Familia at the 46th Precinct station house where she worked in The Bronx. Familia, 48, a mother of three, was shot in the head early Wednesday by a cop-loathing ¬parolee as she sat in a police command vehicle. (Read more)
- Father, this man has a heart problem against police in his own city. We ask that you realign this man's priorities to be for his own constituents. He not only missed the vigil, he missed a swearing in ceremony that was done amid the grief of so many NYPD officers. Father, remove him from his position if you are unable to change his heart.
- "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men." (Psalm 12:1)
6. Syrian ceasefire largely holds as UN peace talks start in Geneva - DW
A partial ceasefire brokered by the US and Russia appears to have held in southwestern Syria. Government and opposition delegations holding a seventh round of UN-sponsored talks in Geneva. Combat was halted in the three southern provinces covered by the truce - Daraa, Quneitra, and Sweida - after the ceasefire started at noon local time, a monitor told the French news agency AFP.
"The main fronts in the three provinces between regime forces and opposition factions have seen a cessation of hostilities and shelling since this morning, with the exception of a few scattered shells fired on Daraa city before noon," Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said on Sunday night.
The agreement reportedly provides for the withdrawal from the truce region of Iranian-backed forces and Hezbollah, key backers of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Both Israel and Jordan have expressed alarm at these forces controlling the border.
The deal also means humanitarian aid deliveries may get through to the designated ceasefire areas and enable a gradual repatriation of refugees from Jordan. The deal was announced on Friday and was brokered by the US, Russia and Jordan. (Read more)
- Father, thank You for this respite for the people of Syria, and the many Christians there. We ask for a move of Your Spirit throughout that country, to heal, change hearts and minds.
- "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mentions of you in our prayers." (1 Thess. 1:2)
7. Costa Rican police arrest Colombian man, 22, 'planning a terror attack at an Ariana Grande concert after he sent organisers threatening messages in Arabic' - Daily Mail
Police have arrested a man on suspicion of planning a terror attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Costa Rica. Detectives launched a manhunt on Saturday after threatening messages were posted in Arabic on a webpage of the concert organisers.
The suspect, with the last names Caicedo Lopez, a 22-year-old from Colombia, was held in a 6am raid on his flat in Tibas, near the capital San Jose, yesterday. Officers seized two mobile phones allegedly used to make the threats. (Read more)
- Lord, we thank You that this man was arrested before he could accomplish yet another massacre. We also pray that Ariana Grande will find You.
- "Let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him." (Psalm 140:11b)
8. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown Will Sign Bill for Free Abortions for All, Including Illegal Aliens - Life News
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown says she will sign a bill that would force health insurers and taxpayers to pay for free abortions for residents and illegal immigrants. The radical pro-abortion bill passed the state Senate on Wednesday on a party-line vote, the AP reports. The state House pushed through the bill earlier this week.
The pro-abortion bill would require health insurers to provide free abortions to patients without a co-pay. It also would set aside $10.2 million tax dollars for abortions, contraception and other reproductive health services for 2017 through 2019 in Medicaid, much of which pro-life advocates say will go to Planned Parenthood, the report states. But Brown says she will sign it into law soon.
Brown responded on Twitter after the yes vote, saying "I'm proud the House helped fulfill our duty to ensure all Oregon's children have access to health care by passing #CoverAllKids today. The ability to control our bodies and make informed decisions about health are critical to providing all Oregonians the opportunity to achieve our full potential and live productive, thriving lives," Brown explained in an email, according to The Times. "Attempts to deny access to contraceptives and family planning are an attack on all Oregonians, particularly women of color, low-income and young women," she added. (Read more)
- Lord this is a horrifying development in the state of Oregon. We pray that You will rise up against it and cut down the evil that underlies it.
- "The wicked will fall by his own wickedness." (Proverbs 11:5b)
9. Seattle to vote on implementing income tax on just the wealthy - Fox News
Seattle, a city located in one of seven states without a personal income tax, is debating whether to implement one on its wealthiest residents Monday.
Under a proposal being considered by the Seattle City Council, only the top earning residents would be subject to the income tax - those individuals with incomes in excess of $250,000 and those filing jointly with incomes in excess of $500,000 would pay a 2.25% tax. The tax is largely expected to pass; the council's finance committee gave the proposal the green light last week, even raising the rate from 2% to 2.25%, according to The Seattle Times. (Read more)
- Lord, we pray that this city will find a balance in all of their dealings. We ask the Your Holy Spirit move on the hearts of all Seattle legislators to see truth and find Your way in the midst of these situations.
- "Keep sound wisdom and discretion; so they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck." (Proverbs 3: 21b,22)
10. Ohio shooting: 1 dead, 8 wounded in ambush at gender reveal party - Fox News
One woman was killed and eight other people, including three children, were injured late Saturday after two men wearing all black opened fire at a gender reveal party in Ohio, officials said. One of those injured was the pregnant woman who was giving the party. A gender reveal party is where friends and family gather to announce the sex of the baby. The unidentified woman told Fox 19 that she lost her child, a boy, after being shot in the leg. Officers responded to the home in Colerain Township, outside Cincinnati around 11:30 p.m., said police spokesman Jim Love. He told Fox 19 that five adults and three children were all watching television in the living room when the men began shooting handguns. (Read more)
- Father, we pray that You will comfort those who were affected by this tragedy, especially the woman who lost her baby. We ask that you find the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
- "Arise, O Lord! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble." (Psalm 10:12)
11. Wildfires send children fleeing from California summer camps - ABC News
A pair of Santa Barbara County wildfires quickly spread Saturday, threatening hundreds of homes and forcing evacuations at a popular lakeside campground and a summer camp where flames temporarily trapped children and counselors, a fire official said. The fire that started in the early afternoon had spread to both sides of Highway 154 and was "completely out of control," county fire Capt. Dave Zaniboni said. About 90 children and 50 counselors were struck at the Circle V Ranch and had to take shelter there until they could be safely evacuated.
The fire was one of three in the state that grew quickly as much of California baked in heat that broke records in parts of Southern California.
A record that stood 131 years in Los Angeles was snapped when the temperature spiked at 98 degrees downtown. The previous record of 95 degrees was set in 1886, the National Weather Service said. Excessive heat sent Southern Californians flocking to beaches and in search of water, shade and air conditioning to escape the heat. (Read more)
- Father, we pray for Your Mighty Hand to stop these raging fires quickly and save the region from total destruction. Let Your Holy Spirit touch the lives of those who are affected, bringing refreshing and hope.
- " So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none." (Ezekiel 22:30)
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