The Watches 8.7.25
mRNA funding, moon reactor and a fresh census
First Watch: Signals
New York Post heads west – The paper will launch The California Post next year. (New York Post)
NASA eyes moon reactor – Interim chief Sean Duffy says the U.S. should build a nuclear reactor on the moon to beat Russia and China. (CNBC)
Fort Stewart shooting – Five soldiers were injured when a sergeant opened fire on his own unit at Georgia military base. (ABC News)
Iran faces water crisis – The regime warns the nation may soon run out of drinking water as mismanagement, heatwaves, and grid failures squeeze Tehran’s supply. (Die Welt)
Rwanda to accept U.S. deportees – Joining Eswatini and South Sudan, Rwanda has agreed to take in some deportees from the U.S., including those convicted of crimes. (BBC)
Passion sequel slated for 2027 – Mel Gibson says the follow-up to The Passion of the Christ has a script that’s like “an acid trip.” (WNG)
World Vision wins in court – The ministry may continue hiring like-minded Christians after defeating a discrimination lawsuit. (WNG)
Second Watch: Field Notes
RFK Jr. cuts mRNA contracts – The HHS secretary has canceled $500 million in mRNA vaccine research, concluding that the technology “poses more risks than benefits for… respiratory viruses.” Critics warn the move will weaken U.S. readiness for future pandemics. RFK Jr. says the funds will be redirected to “broader vaccine strategies, like whole-virus vaccines and novel platforms that don’t collapse when viruses mutate.” (AP, BBC)
Trump orders new census – President Trump announced plans for a new census, suggesting the 2020 count was inaccurate. The move comes amid a redistricting battle in Texas, where Democrat lawmakers have fled the state to prevent debate and votes. Redrawing voter maps to favor particular parties has long followed the release of census data every ten years, but gerrymandering producing some notoriously odd-shaped districts, such as these in Illinois, pointing to the need for a serious overhaul of the practice. (Hot Air, WNG)
Third Watch: Daybreak, light and song
🐕 Paddleboarding pups are helping track platypus
🔴 NASA is celebrating its “teenage” Curiosity Rover’s 13 years on Mars
Let us pray. O God, whose infinite love restores to the right way those who err, gathers the scattered, and preserves those whom You have gathered, of Your tender mercy pour out on Your Christian people the grace of unity that, all schisms being healed, Your flock, gathered to the true Shepherd of Your Church, may serve You in all faithfulness through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
You can also make a one-off or recurring donation here. Thank you!