Today’s News at a Glance:

1. Some headway is being made in Government accountability.

2. The FIFA Women’s World Cup is underway and breaking records.

3. Social media influencers are forced to choose between actors and executives.

Thanks for joining us today for PrayNews. Keeping up with current events without getting jaded and cynical can be exhausting. We pray this take on the news is refreshing. We aim to leave you both informed and transformed.

"When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan." Proverbs 29:2

Dear Lord,

We pray for our leaders in every sphere - in government, in our workplaces, in our schools, and in our homes. May they be guided by Your righteousness, that they might govern with wisdom, justice, and integrity. Let their leadership bring joy, peace, and prosperity to everyone under their care. Give us discernment to recognize and support leaders who seek to do Your will. Help us contribute to a society where righteousness thrives, and Your love is reflected in our laws and actions. Protect our communities and nation from the harm that comes from wicked leadership. Thank you, Lord, for Your providence and love. May Your righteousness fill the earth as the waters cover the sea.In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Smaller Bites

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

1. Integrity Boost: Stock Ownership Ban for Top Officials Proposed

Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Josh Hawley are set to introduce a bipartisan bill preventing federal executive branch members and lawmakers from owning stocks in individual companies, a move sparked by last year's revelation of top officials holding shares in companies they regulated. The bill allows ownership of mutual funds and broad industry and index funds, but breaches could result in forfeiture of profits and fines exceeding $10,000. It has significant public backing, with 80% of voters supporting such a ban on government officials and their families. The proposal also includes the creation of a public database for stock transactions of members of Congress, their staff, and executive branch employees.

Prayer Request: Lord, we pray for our leaders as they consider this legislation aimed at promoting honesty and transparency in governance. Grant them wisdom and integrity to prioritize public duties over personal gain. May this initiative not only be about adherence to laws but also inspire a change of heart and a renewed commitment to serve selflessly. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

2. 2023 Women’s World Cup Already Breaking Records

The ninth FIFA Women's World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, has kicked off in Auckland, with New Zealand beating Norway 1-0. The month-long event, predicted to be the most attended women's sporting event in history, will feature 32 teams in 64 matches, including favorites like the US, Germany, England, and the Netherlands, alongside debutantes like Haiti, Portugal, and Vietnam. The US Women's National Team is considered the favorite, aiming for a third consecutive and fifth overall title. Increased prize money of $110 million reflects the growing market value of women's sports and an effort to close the pay gap between men's and women's World Cups.

Prayer Request: Dear Heavenly Father, we ask for your blessing and protection over all Women's World Cup athletes. May this event continue to promote unity, sportsmanship, and hope in a world that needs these values. Please grant strength, resilience, and fairness to all teams. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

3. Actor’s Union Warns Influencers About Collaborating with Hollywood

The Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has warned social media influencers not to accept promotional work from studios during the ongoing strike, stating that such actions would prevent them from future union membership. This comes amidst the complex intermingling of traditional entertainment structures and emerging digital creators. Influencers, often used to generate buzz for movie releases, now face the difficult decision of balancing short-term financial gains with long-term career goals. Meanwhile, the union negotiations are facing issues over wage increases and revenue sharing from streaming platforms, indicating a prolonged period of contention in the industry.

Prayer Request: Dear Lord, we lift up those involved in the entertainment industry's ongoing dispute. Provide them wisdom, understanding, and the spirit of fairness during these negotiations. For the influencers in a difficult position, grant them the integrity to make decisions that align with their values and future aspirations. We pray for a resolution that values all parties and fosters a spirit of collaboration. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Integrity Boost:
Stock Ownership Ban for Top Officials Proposed

Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.) and Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) are expected to introduce a bipartisan bill prohibiting members of the federal executive branch and lawmakers from owning stocks in individual companies. The bill would still allow the ownership of mutual funds and broad industry and index funds. This proposed legislation comes in response to The Wall Street Journal’s findings last year that several top executive-branch employees held shares in companies they were tasked with regulating.

Gillibrand emphasizes that the proposed legislation seeks to assure the public that elected leaders prioritize their public duties over personal profit. The current conflict-of-interest rules, although stringent, are perceived to be punctuated by loopholes and omissions and have sometimes been disregarded or waived.

The legislation contains severe penalties for those who breach its conditions, such as requiring executive branch employees to forfeit profits from stock trading and imposing fines exceeding $10,000.

The proposed bill completely bans the practice of trading individual stocks from companies they are tasked with regulating. Non-compliance could result in a penalty of at least 10% of the value of the prohibited investments.

The proposed legislation has massive public support from Democrats and Republicans alike, with a recent poll indicating that 80% of voters favor banning stock ownership by government officials, including Congress members, the President, Vice President, Supreme Court Justices, and their families.

Despite its controversial reception within Congress, the legislation is one of approximately a dozen bills seeking to revamp governmental rules for stock trading within Congress and the executive branch.

This proposal also includes the creation of a public and searchable database for stock transactions by members of Congress and their staff, as well as employees of the executive branch.

This development interests us as it resonates with the Biblical emphasis on honest and just governance. We want to call our public servants to act with integrity and transparency. In Proverbs 29:2, it is written, "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan."

The proposed legislation aligns with this biblical wisdom by seeking to eliminate potential conflicts of interest that could lead to unethical decisions, fostering a government where service to the people—not personal gain—guides decision-making. The creation of public databases further embodies the spirit of transparency, enabling citizens to hold their leaders accountable, similar to the Christian belief in living openly before God and others.

However, we also recognize that laws and regulations can only go so far in governing human actions. True transformation comes from a change of heart, as emphasized in Ezekiel 36:26: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."

While we applaud measures that encourage ethical conduct and transparency, we encourage our readers to pray for our nation's leaders—that they may seek wisdom and guidance from God in their personal lives and public duties. May they strive for integrity in compliance with regulations and in recognition of their responsibility before God and their fellow citizens.

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Has Kicked Off and is Already Breaking Records

The ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup is underway in Auckland, where co-host New Zealand defeated Norway in the opener 1-0. This year's tournament, the largest to date, will run from July 20 to August 20, featuring 32 teams competing in 64 matches across 10 venues in Australia and New Zealand. The US Women’s National Team (USWNT), the two-time defending champions, are considered favorites for an unprecedented third consecutive title and a record fifth overall.

This year's World Cup is predicted to be a closer competition than in previous years, with many European nations closing the gap on the high-flying US team. The tournament will also be hosted in two countries for the first time ever, with games held in six stadiums across Australia and four in New Zealand.

Anticipation is high, with ticket sales outpacing the previous tournament held in France. This surge in interest marks the tournament as likely the most attended standalone women’s sporting event in history.

Viewers can catch the games in the US on FOX Sports and Telemundo. Other broadcasters include the Seven Network and Optus Sport in Australia and the BBC and ITV in the UK.

Participating teams include favorites like the US, Germany, England, and the 2019 runner-up, Netherlands, as well as debutantes Haiti, Morocco, Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Vietnam, and Zambia.

The tournament also brings together some of the best talents in women's soccer. Australia's Sam Kerr, USWNT's Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, and Spain's Alexia Putellas are among the top players to watch. However, this World Cup will see some prominent absences due to injuries, including the US's Cat Macario, England's Leah Williamson, and the Netherlands' Vivianne Miedema.

The prize money for this year's tournament has increased significantly to $110 million, showcasing FIFA's efforts to reduce the pay gap between the men's and women's World Cups. But it’s not just an equality effort. Women’s sports are making a surge right now, so the increased prize money is reflecting the larger market value the sport is bringing in. Projected ticket sales are set to surpass the 1.1 million sold at the previous World Cup in France. Early data indicates that this year’s World Cup could reach 2 billion viewers, nearly double the numbers from the 2019 tournament. For the first time, FIFA is guaranteeing direct payments for the players, with each player set to earn a minimum of $30,000 from a $110 million prize pool. This is a 300% increase from the 2019 French World Cup.

The World Cup is a uniquely unifying experience. In a divisive geopolitical landscape, it’s always refreshing for the world to unite under the shared love of a game. Ephesians 4:3 encourages us to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The World Cup is a great reminder that unity, although it requires work, brings joy.

Sporting events like the Women's World Cup embody values that resonate with our faith: unity, teamwork, and fair competition. As this tournament begins, we at Pray News encourage our readers to support these athletes in prayer, appreciating the dedication, discipline, and talent they bring to the field.

Actor’s Union Warns Influencers About Collaborating with Hollywood

The Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has issued a stern warning to social media influencers during their ongoing strike, a development that's sparked significant debate within the digital entertainment world. The union, representing Hollywood actors among other industry personnel, has outlined strict guidelines for influencers who might be tempted to take up promotional work for studios during the strike.

Even if influencers are not currently members of the Actors Guild, taking promotional work for studios – or crossing the 'digital picket line' – will result in them being barred from joining the Guild in the future. The union's stance even extends to advising creators not to promote any work from the studios, even if it's simply as a fan.

This move underscores the increasingly complex relationship between traditional entertainment structures, such as SAG-AFTRA, and the growing influence of digital creators. The union has existed for decades, while influencers have emerged as a significant force within the last 5 to 10 years. In a bid to embrace this new wave, the Guild opened up membership to influencers in 2021, a development that's contributed to the ongoing intermingling of 'old' and 'new' entertainment.

Yet, the current situation puts influencers in a difficult position. While many digital creators aspire to make it in Hollywood, they also have to balance their short-term financial needs with their long-term ambitions. With studios offering financial incentives for promotional work, influencers are forced to weigh the short-term gain against the potential long-term ramifications of crossing the digital picket line.

Moreover, influencers have become a key cog in Hollywood's promotional machine, used to generate buzz and reach younger audiences ahead of movie releases. This dependence adds another layer of complexity to the situation, making the union's stand a hot-button issue within the entertainment industry.

As it stands, the union negotiations are not progressing smoothly. On top of disagreements over minimum wage increases, there are contentious discussions over the union's proposal that actors receive a cut of subscriber revenue generated from performances that land on streaming platforms, a suggestion the studios have outright rejected. As a result, it seems that the entertainment industry is set for a prolonged period of negotiations and tension.

From a Christian standpoint, the ongoing situation in the entertainment industry calls for prayer, understanding, and the application of Biblical principles in seeking a resolution. Previously reporting on this issue, we emphasized the need for open dialogue and understanding for those who rely on Hollywood to feed their families. The people currently embroiled in protests aren’t just the big-name actors but also the background actors and writers who make significantly less. Big studios like Disney have taken a passive approach, waiting for people to run out of money so they will be more desperate at the bargaining table. We are saddened by this, and will continue to pray for all those involved.

Secondly, this issue underlines the importance of fairness and justice, principles that are deeply embedded in Christian teachings. Both sides of the dispute have valid concerns and aspirations that need to be acknowledged and addressed. The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 31:9 to "Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." This principle can guide those involved in negotiations to seek fair outcomes for all parties.

Finally, it highlights the importance of maintaining integrity in our dealings. For influencers, the decision to cross the digital picket line or not is a question of integrity as much as it is a business decision. Proverbs 10:9 reminds us that "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out."

Therefore, as Christians, we should keep all these parties in our prayers, hoping for a resolution that is fair, just, and maintains the integrity of all involved.

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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