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President Trump announced yesterday that the U.S. Navy will “immediately” begin blocking “any and all ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz.”

The blockade began after 21 hours of U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations ended without an agreement. Key sticking points reportedly included: 

Vice President Vance said Iran seemed to misunderstand its lack of leverage, while Iranian officials called Uncle Sam’s terms “excessive… and unlawful.”

Meanwhile, two U.S. warships began playing minesweeper Saturday to clear a “new… safe pathway” for oil tankers through the Strait. The ships also destroyed an Iranian surveillance drone, which Iran called a “possible ceasefire violation.”

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PRAY WITH US
Gracious Peacemaker, in the hearts and lands of these embattled countries, work peace. May leaders be creative in their problem-solving, wise in their choice of counselors, clear-eyed in their negotiating, and compassionate toward the needy, humbly considering the good of others before their own gain and attributing all the glory to You alone.

We don’t always trust leaders to work for our good, but your plans for your people are 100% sure, good, and trustworthy. So use these broken vessels to bring about good for Your people, rest for Your world, and glory for Your name. Until the day when every nation reshapes its weapons into tools for peace, and wolves dwell among lambs, we trust You, our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Amen.

Artemis II’s record-setting deep-space mission stuck the landing.

NASA’s Orion spacecraft—dubbed Integrity by its crew—splashed down Friday evening off the coast of San Diego, with Mission Control calling it “a perfect bullseye splashdown” (watch the landing). Commander Reid Wiseman radioed that all four astronauts were in good shape, reporting “four green crewmembers” upon touchdown.  

Re-entry was especially high-stakes: Orion’s heat shield had known design flaws, but the crew emerged safe and in high spirits. NASA officials were emphatic that the lunar success was no accident—Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya credited “1,000 people doing their job.” It’s also the first crewed NASA mission recovered by the Navy since Apollo-Soyuz in 1975. With the mission complete, Kshatriya said “the path to the surface is now open” for a future lunar landing.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
No matter how far humanity travels, we only scratch the surface of exploring all of what God spoke into existence. The Artemis II crew journeyed farther from Earth than any human in history… and still never left His handiwork. 

"When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place, what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him?"
Psalm 8:3-4 (CSB) (read full passage)

Around the world, Christians are being driven from their homes, stripped of food and shelter, and many even lose their Bibles—all because they refuse to renounce Jesus. 

The Voice of the Martyrs lets these persecuted believers know they’re not forgotten by providing emergency food, temporary shelter, and replacement Bibles. These tangible gifts show men, women, and children that even if they feel alone, the global church stands behind them and Christ has not left them.

BE DOERS
You can make this possible. A gift to VOM sends urgent help to persecuted Christians in their darkest hour. TPO is matching the first $4k.

“If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,’ but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?” 
James 2:15-16 (CSB) (read full passage)

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The economy has definitely noticed the Iran War.

On Friday, the Labor Department issued its first war-impacted report, showing annual inflation jumped from 2.4% in February to 3.3% in March, driven by soaring energy prices (+12.5%). Across the pond, fuel shortages have pushed Irish truckers and farmers into the streets in protest, blocking highways and refineries since Tuesday, prompting the Emerald Isle’s government to promise a relief package.

Core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, rose much less—just 2.6% from a year ago—though economists warn the impact of high fuel costs could take months to settle.

The United States Postal Service also delivered bad financial news, announcing it’s temporarily suspending employer retirement contributions and seeking a(nother) 4-cent price hike for stamps. USPS is projected to run out of money as soon as February 2027.

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Verse to consider when the budget is tight and hope is elusive: “Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?” 
Matthew 6:25-26 (CSB) (read full passage)

Rory McIlroy’s closet got even greener. McIlroy became the fourth golfer to win back-to-back green jackets at Augusta after a dramatic last round of the 90th Masters. The Northern Irishman started the final round tied with 27-year-old Cameron Young, and trailed last year’s runner-up Justin Rose by a stroke heading into the back nine, but shot a -1 to defend his crown jacket.

It’s a baby bust. The U.S. fertility rate dropped to a historic low in 2025, with ~3.6 million babies born—a 1% decline from 2024. Births among women 30+ are actually rising, suggesting many women are delaying having children. The most-cited holdup: 43% of adults point to insufficient finances for the lack of car seats in tow.

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) suspended his campaign for California governor after multiple sexual misconduct allegations arose against him on Friday. The former Democratic frontrunner denies the allegations, but said that’s “my fight, not a campaign’s.” Prominent Democrats—including House Minority Leader Jeffries (D-NY) and former Speaker Pelosi (D-CA)—called for him to drop out over the weekend.

The NFL’s broadcast deals are under review. The DOJ opened an investigation Thursday into whether the NFL's practice of selling games to streamers still qualifies for its antitrust exemption under the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which courts have ruled only applies to free, over-the-air TV. Sen. Lee (R-UT), who urged the probe, says fans must currently spend ~$1,000/year to watch every game.

Uncle Sam is taking draft registration into his own hands. The Selective Service System—a record of most males 18-to 25-year-olds living in the U.S.—plans to automatically register potential servicemen starting this December. Since 1980, fellas have been required to sign themselves up, but a recently passed defense bill transferred responsibility to Washington. A draft has not been activated since 1973 and requires Congressional approval.

Just poppin' in to say hi...

How We’re Browsing The Internet
Like it's Y2K, thanks to Surfshark*

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What I’m Reading on My Lunch Break
Tangle*

We often assume other people are living in political bubbles… but if we’re honest, most of us are in one too. That’s why I love Tangle. It pops those bubbles and helps you genuinely understand the opposing view. 

Every weekday, Tangle breaks down one big, often heated news story and lays out thoughtful arguments from the left, right, and center. In about 10 minutes, you’ll walk away actually informed… not spun. 

It’s free, refreshingly fair, and trusted by 500,000+ readers (including me). 

If you want clarity without the noise (or Aunt Susan’s Facebook rants), join me and the Tangle community today.

Jason Woodruff | Founder

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