Today’s News at a Glance:

1. Supreme Court rules against Affirmative action.

2. Israel attacks Jenin, causing deaths and Palestinian infighting.

3. Elon is limiting your Tweet consumption.

When reporting on racial discrimination laws, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Twitter, it seems impossible not to anger someone. We aim to be informed and transformed - navigating the news humbly and Christ-centered. Hopefully, we accomplish that today. Here we go!

“... you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” (Ephesians 2:19).

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the gift of salvation, for inviting us into Your divine family, no longer as strangers or aliens, but as Your beloved children. We are humbly grateful for the privilege to call ourselves citizens of Your eternal Kingdom. Instill in us a deep sense of belonging, acceptance, and love that comes with being members of Your household. May we always remember that despite our many imperfections, You chose us, love us, and call us Your own. Empower us to live as true citizens of Your Kingdom. May we embody the love, grace, and mercy that You have shown us and reflect these to the world around us. Guide us to welcome others into Your family, just as You have welcomed us. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Smaller Bites

Here’s today’s news: cut to be short, sweet, and Christ-centered…

1. College Controversy: Affirmative Action Ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court recently abolished affirmative action in college admissions, ending a precedent that fostered diversity via race-conscious policies. This decision arose from two lawsuits claiming discrimination against white and Asian American applicants by Harvard and the University of North Carolina. Critics of the decision argue that alternative methods for ensuring diversity won't be as effective, potentially reducing minority representation on campuses. The debate about Affirmative Action goes beyond party lines, focusing on whether race should play a role in admissions or if more attention should be given to recruitment from lower-income communities.

Prayer Request: May we pray for wisdom and discernment for educational institutions in their pursuit of maintaining diversity, upholding justice, and providing equal opportunities. May God guide our leaders in fostering an education system that reflects the Kingdom's values of love, equality, and fairness for all His children.

2. Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Israel Raids Jenin

A large Israeli military operation targeting militant factions in the Jenin refugee camp led to significant casualties, property destruction, and increased tension. The two-day operation involved drone strikes, an invasion involving over 1,000 troops, and resulted in the death of at least 12 Palestinians and injuries to approximately 100 others. In the aftermath, militant leaders claimed victory and Israeli forces withdrew after detaining 150 suspected militants and seizing weapons. The event escalated regional tensions, leading to rocket fire from the Gaza Strip and subsequent Israeli airstrikes.

Prayer Request: Let us pray for peace and reconciliation in the region, for the hearts of those who have been hardened by years of conflict to be softened, and for wisdom for those in leadership roles on both sides. May God's spirit of compassion, justice, and love bring a resolution that upholds human dignity and the sanctity of life for all involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

3. Protection or Manipulation? Elon Limits Your Twitter Posts

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and now executive chairman and CTO of Twitter, recently announced that Twitter would temporarily limit the number of posts users can view per day due to extreme data scraping and system manipulation. Limits have been imposed based on account verification status, with adjustments already made from initial settings. This follows widespread reports of Twitter users facing issues accessing the platform, with error messages such as "Rate limit exceeded" or "Cannot retrieve tweets." Musk's involvement and the recent restrictions have sparked questions about Twitter's future and its approach to combatting data scraping while ensuring the company's financial stability.

Prayer Request: We pray for wisdom and discernment for leaders in the tech industry, especially for those like Elon Musk who have significant influence over digital communication platforms. May they develop policies that uphold integrity, transparency, and the fair use of information while prioritizing user safety. We also ask for guidance in our own digital interactions, that we might use these tools in a manner that reflects God's love and grace.

College Controversy:
Affirmative Action Ruling

Nine states have already banned the use of race in admissions policies at public colleges and universities before the Supreme Court ruling.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently made a significant ruling on affirmative action, striking down race-conscious policies in college admissions. This decision ends decades of precedent that allowed schools nationwide to use such programs to promote diversity in their student bodies. Here, we will explore the concept of affirmative action, its history, and the potential consequences of the Supreme Court's decision.

Affirmative action, in the context of higher education, typically refers to admissions policies aimed at increasing the representation of Black, Hispanic, and other minority students on college campuses. Colleges and universities that consider race as a factor in admissions have stated that they do so as part of a holistic approach to evaluating various aspects of an applicant’s profile, including grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities. Race-conscious admissions policies aim to enhance the educational experience for all students by fostering diversity. While schools also employ recruitment programs and scholarship opportunities to promote diversity, the focus of the Supreme Court litigation was specifically on admissions.

The extent to which race is considered in admissions varies among institutions. While many schools do not disclose specific details about their admissions processes, considering race is more common among selective schools that receive a larger number of applications. According to a 2019 National Association for College Admission Counseling survey, around a quarter of schools reported that race had a "considerable" or "moderate" influence on admissions.

It is worth noting that nine states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Washington, have already banned the use of race in admissions policies at public colleges and universities.

The current litigation that led to the Supreme Court's ruling involved two cases brought by Students for Fair Admissions. One case claimed that Harvard's admissions policy discriminates against Asian American applicants, while the other argued that the University of North Carolina unlawfully discriminates against white and Asian American applicants. The schools rejected these claims, emphasizing that race is a determining factor in only a small number of cases and that eliminating the practice would significantly drop the number of minority students on campus.

Before this recent ruling, the Supreme Court had generally upheld race-conscious admissions while setting limits. In a famous 1978 case, the court addressed the issue after schools began implementing affirmative action to respond to the Civil Rights era and rectify the effects of racial segregation. Justice Lewis Powell, the swing vote in the case, ruled that schools could not use affirmative action to correct past racial discrimination and struck down reserving a certain number of spots for minorities. However, Powell recognized the importance of increasing campus diversity as a "compelling interest" because exposure to different viewpoints benefits students of all races. He ruled that schools could consider race as one factor among many in admissions. In 2003, the court invalidated the University of Michigan's use of a system that awarded "points" to minority applicants, deeming it excessive.

Since then, the composition of the Supreme Court has shifted, with a majority of six conservative justices and three liberals. In 2016, the court upheld race-conscious admissions. However, with the current conservative majority, the recent ruling indicates a change in the court's stance on affirmative action.

The decision will now require elite colleges and universities to reassess their policies and seek alternative ways to ensure diversity in their student populations. Many schools have argued that alternative measures would not be as effective, potentially resulting in a decline in the representation of minority students on campuses.

The debate surrounding Affirmative Action isn’t just a liberal vs conservative split. There are mixed opinions among Democrats and Republicans alike. No well-meaning Republicans or Democrats want minorities to fall behind regarding higher education. The debate is not about whether colleges should be diverse but how they should encourage diversity. Many conservatives argue that Affirmative Action encourages bias, not just toward white students, but also toward students of Asian, Eastern European, and Middle-Eastern descent. Issues arise when you create any hierarchy based on race, color, or ethnic identity, even if you’re a well-meaning admissions board wanting to celebrate diversity. People have been arguing that race shouldn’t play any role in admissions.

But is that a realistic stance? There is no doubt that certain minority groups have a harder time getting into college than others. But is that because of the color of their skin or ethnic identity? The link to lower admissions of black and Latino minorities could be less about the color of their skin and more about recruitment from lower-income communities. College is expensive, and the system inherently favors the wealthy or those willing to take an excessive amount of debt.

As believers, the question of affirmative action and race-conscious admissions policies requires careful consideration. Our faith teaches the fundamental belief in the equal worth and dignity of all human beings, as all are created in the image of God. Christians are called to love one another and strive for justice and equality. Affirmative action emerged as a response to historical injustices and systemic inequalities faced by minority communities. It aimed to address these imbalances and provide opportunities for underrepresented groups. Christians should empathize with the desire but also hold a realistic view of whether a well-meaning system no longer works.

Perhaps Affirmative Action should never have been viewed as a permanent solution but rather as a temporary measure to address historical disparities. It is crucial to strike a balance that promotes diversity while ensuring all individuals are treated fairly and evaluated based on their abilities.

Ultimately, the world will constantly oscillate between doing the right and wrong things. It’s imperative that we, as the body of Christ, establish our values in the church as an example to the world.

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict:
Israel Raids Jenin

Israeli military launched a two-day operation against militant factions in Jenin, resulting in significant loss of life and destruction of property.

In the aftermath of one of the largest Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank in years, Palestinians in Jenin are expressing defiance and anger. The two-day operation, aimed at targeting infrastructure and weapons depots of militant factions in the Jenin refugee camp, resulted in a significant loss of life, destruction of property, and heightened tensions in the region.

The Israeli military operation began with late-night drone strikes followed by a sweep involving over 1,000 Israeli troops. At least 12 Palestinians, primarily confirmed as militant fighters, were killed, and approximately 100 others were wounded. The incursion left streets in ruins and cars burned, leading to widespread fury across the Arab world.

Residents of the Jenin refugee camp faced extreme hardships during the operation, with electricity and water supplies being cut off. Many expressed the struggle of running out of essential supplies like bread. At a funeral for 10 of the deceased, mourners confronted senior Palestinian Authority leaders, accusing them of weakness and demanding their departure. The Palestinian Authority, exercising nominal governance over parts of the West Bank, protested against the Israeli operation, considering it a war crime but could not prevent it.

Following the withdrawal of Israeli forces, leaders of militant factions claimed victory, and the mood among residents returning home appeared defiant. Despite the loss of life, many expressed relief that the situation was not worse. The Israeli forces detained 150 suspected militants, seized weapons, money, and roadside mines, and destroyed a command center.

The operation in Jenin has further escalated tensions in the region. Israel reported rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, which were intercepted, leading to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. In an unrelated incident, a Palestinian carried out a car ramming and stabbing attack in Tel Aviv, injuring eight people before being shot dead.

The magnitude of the Israeli operation highlights the growing strength of militant groups in Jenin, where a significant portion of the population is believed to be affiliated with Islamic Jihad or Hamas. The operation also underscores the Palestinian Authority's inability to establish control over militant groups in Jenin and nearby regions, revealing the weaknesses of the Authority in the face of both Israel and independent factions.

From a Christian perspective, the situation in Jenin and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict is deeply controversial and concerning. We are called to pursue peace, justice, and reconciliation. The loss of life and the suffering experienced by Israelis and Palestinians in this conflict is tragic and calls for a compassionate response. Although conflict is sometimes necessary, we never cheer for war. In this cultural moment, when Political Punditry and Sports Analysts are the same, we are tempted to take sides and cheer for one over the other. As believers, we cheer for peace and the gospel.

It is important to recognize the inherent dignity and worth of every individual involved and to seek understanding and dialogue. Christians are called to pray for peace in the region and actively work toward a just resolution. This includes supporting efforts to address the underlying causes of the conflict and promoting reconciliation, understanding, and respect between all parties involved. Ultimately, Christians should advocate for a peaceful and equitable resolution that upholds the principles of justice and human dignity for all people involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

But how on earth do we even begin? The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians runs deep. In many ways, it’s ancient. Politicians, scholars, peacemakers, and professors have spent years trying to make sense of the deep-seated hatred and contempt. Perhaps foreign policy changes are necessary, but let’s focus on the micro-level, shall we?

In the wake of the constant conflict in the Middle East, several displaced refugees have sought safety within the borders of Europe and the United States. In Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, the people of Israel are encouraged to look after the outcast, refugees, and foreigners. Leviticus 19:34 says, “The foreigners residing among you must be treated as native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” The Bible teaches that we were all once spiritual refugees in need of safe harbor, and the Lord brought us close to him through the blood of Jesus. Ephesians 2:19 says, “... you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.”

While providing a solution for the world’s most ancient conflict may seem daunting, we can look to our cities, neighborhoods, and communities for opportunities to help those displaced because of those conflicts and seek refuge in a place less riddled with war. Perhaps donating to a non-profit that helps displaced families. Perhaps inviting refugee families to church. Perhaps volunteering your time to tutor and aid those in need.

We can’t hope to solve the world’s greatest problems if we are willing to ignore the needs in our backyard. So we will continue to pray for God’s people to mobilize under the banner of Christ to help those in need.

Protection or Manipulation?
Elon Limits Your Twitter Posts

In a recent announcement, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who also serves as executive chairman and CTO of Twitter, stated that Twitter would be implementing temporary limits on the number of posts users can view per day. Musk cited "extreme levels of data scraping" and "system manipulation" as the reasons behind this decision.

Musk outlined the temporary limits, specifying that verified accounts can read up to 8,000 posts per day, unverified accounts will have a limit of 800 posts per day, and new unverified accounts will be restricted to reading 400 posts per day. Later, in another tweet, Musk mentioned that the limits would be raised to "10k, 1k & 0.5k," without providing an exact timeline for when these restrictions would be adjusted or lifted entirely. It's worth noting that Musk has modified the limits twice already from the initial rates he set.

This announcement comes as thousands of Twitter users reported problems accessing the platform. Users attempting to access or post content on Twitter's website or mobile app were met with error messages such as "Rate limit exceeded" or "Cannot retrieve tweets." Downdetector, a website that monitors internet outages, received over 7,300 reports of issues with Twitter.

In addition to the access restrictions, Twitter recently started requiring a login for users to view content that was previously accessible without an account. Musk mentioned on Friday that "drastic and immediate action" was necessary due to "EXTREME" levels of data scraping. However, despite Musk's assurances that the restrictions would be "unlocked shortly," the content remains restricted as of Saturday afternoon.

It is worth mentioning that Twitter has experienced technical difficulties and outages in recent months. In February, users could not post on the platform for approximately 90 minutes due to reaching the daily limit for sending tweets. In March, users faced temporary issues with clicking on links or loading images.

Elon Musk's involvement in Twitter, combined with the current limitations and outages, has generated speculation and questions about the platform's future direction. Musk has previously made statements about the need for action to address data scraping and has emphasized the importance of ensuring the company's financial health.

Technology has provided numerous benefits, allowing people to connect and share information on a global scale. Think about how many ideas and stories have been shared among people who would have never met otherwise! However, it can also be misused, leading to manipulation, data scraping, and other harmful activities. Bad actors are everywhere, which comes as no surprise. We, as believers, are called to use technology and social media platforms in a manner that aligns with our values. This has been the aim of Pray.com since the very beginning. We want our digital footprint marked by hope, truth, and love.

As Christians, let us be mindful of our digital footprint and strive to use social media platforms responsibly, with integrity and kindness. We should remember that our words and actions online have real-life consequences and can influence others. Instead of being swept up in the limitations and challenges of social media, we can seek to create meaningful connections, foster understanding, and engage in constructive dialogue. By approaching social media with wisdom and love, we can be a positive force for change in the digital sphere, promoting values of truth, justice, and compassion. Ultimately, our focus should remain on building genuine relationships and spreading the transformative message of God's love in both online and offline spaces.

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.

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