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As Iran’s economic-turned-anti-government protests grow deadlier, leaders worldwide are raising objections.

Despite a near-total communication blackout, rights groups report Iran’s government began a  “brutal” crackdown on demonstrators: authorities are allegedly opening fire on unarmed protestors, 10,000+ marchers have been arrested, and Tehran is threatening executions. Yesterday, Iranian officials announced the death toll had reached 2,000 (though totals could be much higher). 

World leaders have condemned the crackdown. On Monday, President Trump announced a 25% tariff on countries that do business with Iran—a move swiftly condemned by top Iran-trader China. Yesterday, #47 urged protesters to persevere, saying, “help is on its way.” The E.U. is also reviewing fresh sanctions against Iran. 

Some leaders predict Iran’s Islamic government is in its “final days,” though Tehran denies the claim, saying it’s “prepared” for war if demonstrations don’t de-escalate.  

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PRAY WITH US
It’s easy to feel helpless when there is such intense unrest happening so far away, but the Bible promises that prayer is powerful and effective. Pray for comfort for those grieving. Pray for wisdom for leaders. Pray for peace.

Heavenly Father, thank You for listening when we cry out to You and for delighting to answer our prayers. God of all comfort, draw those who are grieving close to You, and make Yourself known to those who don’t know You. God of all wisdom, direct leaders to make decisions that bring good to Your people and glory to Your name. God of all peace, bring Your perfect, incorruptible peace on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.

Grok is getting the Pentagon’s wifi password—and dollops of its data.  

Secretary Hegseth announced Monday that the Elon Musk-owned AI chatbot will join Google’s Gemini in military networks as the Pentagon pushes to “extend their lead in military AI.” Grok—which goes live later this month—will receive “all appropriate data” to help the military do things like sift through intel, spot anomalies, handle logistics, and identify targets. 

Grok’s deployment is part of Hegseth’s vision for tools that operate “without ideological constraints,” but he didn’t specify AI’s operational limits. 

The announcement comes days after controversy around Grok users generating intrusive and explicit material prompted a U.K. investigation and bans in Malaysia and Indonesia. 

In other AI news, Apple announced a multiyear partnership with Gemini, raising questions about its relationship with OpenAI (ChatGPT currently powers Apple Intelligence).

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Verse to consider whether  you’re unsettled by an AI-infused future or you wish you had a crystal ball for your own… “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. The LORD of Armies is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” 
Psalm 46:1, 7 (CSB) (read full passage)

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The DOJ is calling foul on the Fed.

On Friday, the Justice Department subpoenaed the Federal Reserve over Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s allegedly misleading testimony to Congress about the Central Bank’s $2.5B renovation (see mock-ups here). 

Powell says the “threat” is not about the reno or his testimony, but that President Trump is weaponizing criminal charges to pressure the Fed to lower interest rates. Economists, most GOP Senators, and the central banks of other countries have stood behind Powell, calling for protection of the bank’s political independence. Trump said he didn’t know about the subpoenas, and Powell’s “only pressure” is high interest rates.

Markets didn’t like the news. S&P 500 stock futures fell around 0.7% after Powell’s statement, and prices of gold—an asset sought during uncertain times—reached a record high early Monday. 

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
No matter who’s in charge in the White House or the central bank, God will remain in control of your finances and your future. In the midst of economic uncertainty on earth, set your hope on the mindblowing prosperity we will enjoy with Christ when He comes. 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”
1 Peter 1:3-4 (CSB) (read full passage)

SCOTUS appears ready to uphold bans on transgender athletes in schools. On Tuesday, the Supremes heard their first-ever cases involving boys identifying as girls competing in girls’ sports. The majority seems to agree that males have a biological advantage; dissenting justices suggest that the cases should be decided in lower courts, allowing individuals to prove whether they have an advantage.

NYC nurses are scrubbing out. Nearly 15,000 nurses have been on strike since Monday, asking for higher pay, “safe staffing” levels, and fully funded benefits; hospitals said the union’s prescribed ~40% pay bump is an overdose and hired thousands of scrub-squad subs. Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) joined the picket line and called for revived contract negotiations.

Solo dwellers across China are being asked, “Are You Dead?” The country’s #1 paid app has users tap a daily “still alive” button and notifies an emergency contact if the button remains untouched for two consecutive days. Designed to make solitary life “more reassuring,” the app is riding China’s single-occupancy housing trend—projected to reach 30% by 2030—and is climbing U.S. app charts.

Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) is suing the Secretary and Department of War over its efforts to reduce Kelly’s military retirement rank and pay. Hegseth said Kelly made “seditious statements” when he told troops to ignore illegal orders in a video last November. Kelly says the “extreme rhetoric and punitive retribution” is “unlawful and unconstitutional,” violating free speech and due process rights.

The Houston Texans stifled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 to wrap up the NFL’s wild Wild Card weekend. A day after Pittsburgh’s seventh straight playoff loss, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin announced he’s stepping down after 19 seasons without a single losing record, a move that brings the NFL’s head coaching vacancies to nine. See next week’s Divisional matchups here.

Making a U-turn... in a cruise ship.

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Jason Woodruff | Founder