Today’s News at a Glance:

1. The Titan speaks but remains unfound.

2. Biden is threatened by the rise of Robert F. Kennedy Junior.

3. Did Google unlawfully share your information?

The world is ridiculous these days, but God is still good. We can at least unite over that. Before we kick things off, let’s start with Scripture and prayer…

“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” (Matthew 7:8).

Dear Lord,
We do not want to be those whose words do not match their actions. We want to be people of substance. We don’t just want to have opinions. We want to have convictions that lead to action. Multiply our impact, Lord. Stir us up and make us bear good fruit for the world. May we never be simply spectators in this world. We want to be innovators, servants, and motivators. Empowered by you, we can do all things! In Jesus’ Name, amen

Smaller Bites

Here’s today’s news: cut short and sweet with a prayer…

1. Updates On The Missing Titan: Underwater Noises Detected

Rescue teams are fervently searching for the missing submersible, Titan, following detected underwater noises in the area where the sub lost contact. The Titan, currently carrying five passengers, is expected to run out of oxygen early Thursday morning, raising the stakes for the rescue operation. The U.S. Navy is examining the detection made by a Canadian maritime surveillance plane, and search operations have been relocated to this location. Amid this crisis, there's impressive international cooperation, with commercial vessels and Canadian and U.S. Coast Guards all involved in the rescue.

Prayer Request: We lift up the crew of the Titan and the rescue teams in our prayers. May God guide them through these challenging times. We pray for the crew's safe return and strength for their families. Lord, may this situation also serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of safety measures in our explorations.

2. A Threat to the Status Quo? Biden Concerned about RFK Jr’s Rising Popularity

The Biden campaign is facing an unexpected challenge as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s potential presidential bid for 2024 gains traction among Democratic voters. There's a pervasive dissatisfaction with President Biden's performance, leading Democrats to question his electability for the 2024 election. The rise of RFK Jr. in the polls indicates a hunger for change among Democrats. This development underscores the need for Biden and his administration to heed the voices of their party members seriously.

Prayer Request: We pray for wisdom and guidance for all political leaders so that they may serve the needs and concerns of the people they represent. We also pray for discernment for voters so that they may make informed decisions based on love, justice, and mercy. We are reminded of the importance of accountability in leadership, as taught in the scriptures.

3. Selling Your Information: Google Settles for $23 Million for Alleged Sharing.

Google has agreed to a settlement of $23 million in a class-action lawsuit that alleges the company shared users' search information without their consent. Eligible individuals who used Google Search and clicked on a search result link between October 26, 2006, and September 30, 2013, may claim a portion of the settlement. Google will also update its FAQs and key terms pages to clarify when and how search queries might be shared with third parties. This case highlights the ethical use of personal data, a growing concern in the digital age.

Prayer Request: We pray for increased understanding and awareness regarding the importance of consent, privacy, and the ethical use of data. We ask God to guide companies in handling private information with respect and integrity. We also pray for discernment for all users, so that they may make wise decisions in their online interactions and digital footprints.

Updates On The Missing Titan:
Underwater Noises Detected

Rescuers Strive to Locate Missing Submersible Titan Amidst Detected Underwater Noises

In a race against time, rescue teams are tenaciously seeking the missing submersible Titan after detecting underwater noises early Wednesday near the area where the sub lost contact with its control ship. The Titan, currently carrying five passengers, holds an oxygen supply expected to run out early Thursday morning, adding urgency to the rescue efforts.

The detection was made by a Canadian maritime surveillance plane, the information from which the U.S. Navy is now examining. All underwater search operations have been relocated to the noise source, though the attempts by remotely operated underwater drones have been unsuccessful.

"It takes time, and it takes coordination," Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick reminded us at a Boston news conference. "You have to remember that it's the wreck site of the Titanic, so there is a lot of metal and different objects in the water around the site," added U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger.

As we keep our prayerful vigil for the crew, it's worth noting the sheer size of the operation's challenge. The search area is larger than Connecticut on the surface and possibly stretches 2.4 miles deep to the ocean floor. However, the international cooperation in this trying time is a testament to human unity in crisis - commercial vessels, Canadian and U.S. Coast Guards all contributing to the search effort.

Titan went missing on Sunday after losing contact with its support ship, Polar Prince, less than two hours after entering the water. The submersible was then already more than halfway down to the Titanic's wreck, approximately 900 miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

The cause of the disconnection remains unclear, with OceanGate, the company in charge of the unified search command, focusing all efforts on the rescue operation.

The circumstances leading to this event warrant an investigation into OceanGate’s safety record. The company has been under scrutiny in the past, with the former director of marine operations, David Lochridge, raising concerns about the safety of Titan's design in 2015.

Particularly alarming was Lochridge's apprehension about the 5-inch-thick carbon fiber hull of the Titan, which he felt was inadequately tested, and the vessel's port window, designed to withstand depths considerably shallower than the Titanic's resting place.

Despite these warnings, the company stood firm in its conviction of the safety measures, relying on acoustic testing and arguing that Lochridge was in breach of his contract. However, public records reveal at least two prior safety incidents with the Titan.

As we await the news, we pray for the crew's safe return and ask the Lord for strength and guidance for all those involved in the rescue mission. We are also reminded of the importance of safety precautions, thorough testing, and regulations in all human explorations. God bless these brave explorers, and Godspeed to the rescue team.

A Threat to the Status Quo?
Biden Concerned about RFK Jr’s Rising Popularity

The Biden Campaign Alarmed by Rising Influence of RFK Jr. Amid Skepticism in Democratic Camp

The Biden campaign team is grappling with unexpected challenges arising from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s potential presidential bid for 2024. The famed environmental lawyer, activist, author, and member of the celebrated Kennedy lineage has seemingly struck a chord with left-leaning voters, leading to early polling strengths. This development is a stark reminder of the growing demand for an alternative to Biden among Democrats, a sentiment evidently amplified by the President's perceived weaknesses.

The recent rise of RFK Jr. in the polls and voters' minds demonstrates a pervasive dissatisfaction with Biden's performance among Democrats, leading them to question his electability for the 2024 election. Julian Castro, who famously criticized Biden during the debates, acknowledged the real worry among voters regarding Biden's capacity to deliver on his promises.

Adding to the woes of Biden's camp, both RFK Jr. and Marianne Williamson collectively account for nearly 30% of the Democratic party’s support, according to recent data. This raises a significant concern for Biden, as it reveals the extent of the Democratic party’s hunger for change and readiness to embrace alternative options.

It seems that some Democratic voters are struggling to apply patience to Biden's tenure. These voters have voiced concerns about what Biden has done for them, especially among Black and Hispanic communities. There appears to be a disconnect between the accomplishments that Biden's administration touts and the tangible benefits voters feel they have received.

Scripture reminds us that “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:18). It is evident that some people are finding it hard to see the "good fruit" from Biden's presidency. Or at least they are finding it hard to connect the fruit from his administration to their everyday lives. Some things promised by the Biden administration (such as raising the minimum wage and offering a child tax credit) would have significantly impacted the lives of lower/middle-class Americans. Had they been implemented, such actions could have resonated positively with voters and illustrated the administration's commitment to improving their lives.

The rise of RFK Jr. has highlighted the need for Democratic leadership to consider the voices and choices of their party members seriously. Based on RFK Jr.’s potential delegates, it is possible that he could carry significant influence at the Democratic National Convention, a prospect that could disrupt Biden's campaign further.

No matter what side of the political aisle you find yourself on, a takeaway from Biden’s declining popularity and the rise of alternative candidates is that every leader should be held accountable for what they said they would do. Or at least they should communicate why they didn’t follow through. Christ reminds us to let our ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and our ‘no’ be ‘no’ (Matthew 5:37). We must hold ourselves to those standards and our leaders.

RFK Jr.'s rising popularity should be a wake-up call for the Biden administration, compelling them to be more attentive to the needs and concerns of the American people. As we move forward, let us pray for President Biden and the other candidates so that wisdom may guide their decisions.

Selling Your Information:
Google Settles for $23 Million for Alleged Sharing.

Google has agreed to a settlement of $23 million in a class-action lawsuit.

The lawsuit against Google claimed that the company shared users' search information with third-party websites without obtaining their consent. Even though Google denies these allegations, it has accepted the settlement.

This settlement involves Google users who performed searches and clicked on search result links between October 26, 2006, and September 30, 2013. Such individuals are potentially eligible to claim a portion of the settlement amount. To be included as a settlement class member, the necessary criteria of using Google Search and clicking on a search result link within the above-stated period must be fulfilled. The deadline to participate is July 31, and the anticipated payment for approved claims is around $7.70 per person based on current data.

The settlement still awaits final approval, with the hearing scheduled for October 12. Users who disagree with the settlement can submit their objections to the court in writing by July 31 and may also ask for an opportunity to voice their concerns in court.

In the wake of the lawsuit, Google has committed to updating its frequently asked questions (FAQs) and key terms pages. These amendments aim to provide more transparent information about the instances in which search queries might be shared with third parties via referrer headers.

There’s a trend in these tech giants as of late. Large companies like Apple, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have been pushing the boundaries with their users. Patterns of disregard for personal information, privacy, and agency have increased. Lawsuits like these are important, keeping these companies in the public eye. As Christians, we have a few ways we can react:

One: We can reflect on our own respect for the privacy and dignity of others. According to Genesis 1, we are all image-bearers of God. Therefore, every human being deserves some semblance of dignity and respect.

Two: We can be mindful of our trust in these tech giants. No, we don’t need to all build a cabin in the woods and live off the grid. However, we must be vigilant and mindful that this world can be corrupt, and our security must be in Christ alone instead of governments and companies.

Proverbs 10:9 reminds us, "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out." We can find wisdom in this teaching as we consider the implications of this case and the ongoing discussions surrounding data privacy and security.

May this be an opportunity for reflection on the part of both users and companies regarding the importance of consent, privacy, and the ethical use of data in our interconnected digital world. We trust in the Lord's guidance in these matters as we navigate the complexities of our modern, tech-saturated society.

Disclaimer: This article is based on available information as of the publication date. Please follow our publication for future updates and developments regarding this ongoing story.

Thank you for joining us today on PrayNews. It is our aim to be informed and transformed. We pray today you will proceed with hope, love, and determination to be a force for good. Join us daily for PrayNews, where hope is our only bias.