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Uncle Sam knocked five Iranian drones from the sky over the Strait of Hormuz Wednesday.

The U.S. also struck a drone-control station in Iran’s Bandar Abbas before a sixth drone could launch—calling both moves “measured, purely defensive.” Tehran responded by dawn yesterday, claiming it hit a U.S. airbase in Kuwait in retaliation and as a “serious warning” to Washington.

Then, later, the two countries agreed to extend their ceasefire by 60 days and lift restrictions on the Strait. As of reporting, approval from President Trump was still needed, and Iranian state media reported that the deal was not yet finalized.

Meanwhile, a new analysis warned that Washington—already strained from assisting Ukraine—has now burned through 45-50% of key missile stockpiles, which could take up to four years to restock.

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
War puts the evil of this world on full display and reminds us of the dire need for the ultimate redemption of this world. Jesus came as light to shine in the darkness. Pray that the Middle East would experience the darkness-penetrating light of Christ. 

“That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.” 
John 1:5 (CSB) (read full passage)

Conditions at a New Jersey ICE facility have sparked hunger strikes inside and six days of protests outside.

Protests began last Friday outside Delaney Hall after ~300 detainees launched a hunger and labor strike over case delays and “inhumane” conditions—citing rotten food, poor ventilation, and inadequate medical care. The 1,000-bed Newark ICE facility holds migrants of varying immigration statuses, including those detained during routine check-ins and green card interviews.

Nightly conflicts have broken out, with protesters throwing objects at agents and blocking traffic, and agents responding with batons, tasers, and pepper spray—including on Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ), who was at the facility Monday trying to de-escalate. 

DHS denied the hunger strike, claimed conditions exceed U.S. prison standards, and called Democratic politicians’ visits—including Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), who has been denied entry—a “political stunt.”

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
Culturally hot topics like these can affect people differently. Consider checking in on someone in your life who might have this story hit close to home—an immigrant or law enforcement officer in your church or neighborhood—and show them the love of Christ.

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 
John 13:34-35 (CSB) (read full passage)

We age because our cells do. The good news? Dolphins (yep, like Flipper) helped crack the code to slow it down.

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Israeli forces struck Beirut yesterday—the second time since the start of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire. 

The attacks defied a request from President Trump to spare Lebanon’s capital city. IDF did not give details, but Israeli security sources said the “targeted” attacks were aimed at an Iranian militia head. The move came after 14 people were killed in Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon. Earlier Wednesday, IDF had warned residents to evacuate the south as it expanded operations and clashed with Hezbollah along a strategic river. 

The ongoing military escalation has dealt blows to the fraying April 17 ceasefire days ahead of scheduled peace talks in Washington.

Israel also launched targeted airstrikes on Gaza, killing Hamas’s new military leader and his family Tuesday and at least seven more people Wednesday.

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PRAY WITH US
God of Wisdom and Might, the chaos of our sin sickness is splintering across Your good world, threatening order and peace and goodness and beauty. The cities we’ve built as paragons of human achievement have become epicenters of tension and turmoil. The border lines we’ve drawn across Your creation have become places of contention and violence. As provocations threaten to spiral into chaos, we cling to You, Our Fortress and Hiding Place. We are waiting for You to bring Your reign of peace.
Amen.

The DOJ is opening a perjury investigation into E. Jean Carroll, who successfully sued President Trump for sexual assault and defamation. At issue is Carroll’s 2022 deposition claim that no one financed her legal fees; it later emerged that LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman had contributed funds. In 2024, a federal appeals court reviewed this claim and found Carroll hadn’t knowingly lied.

Jill Biden sent the internet spiraling after revealing she thought her husband was “having a stroke” during his 2024 presidential debate. In a clip released Wednesday, the former first lady admitted to being “frightened” watching him, saying she’d never seen him like that before or since. The highly-criticized debate against President Trump led to former President Biden dropping from the race.

David Rush made his own Gold Rush… The former senior CIA executive was arrested this week after agents found over 300 gold bars worth $40M+ stashed at his Virginia home… along with $2M cash and 35 luxury watches. He’d been requesting gold from the agency for “work-related expenses” since November. Investigations also revealed he’d lied about his education and professional background.

The U.S. is setting up a quarantine facility in Kenya for Americans who contract or are exposed to Ebola as an alternative to bringing them back to the U.S. The White House reached a deal with Kenya Thursday to provide high-quality care for Americans without risking “a lengthy transport back,” despite the plan drawing opposition from Kenyan medical groups.*

The Lone Star State is putting Senator John Cornyn (R) out to pasture. Texas AG Ken Paxton beat the four-term incumbent in the state’s Republican run-off Tuesday, a week after clinching President Trump’s endorsement. The ousting sets up a closely-watched midterm against Democrat James Talarico, with polls predicting a competitive race in a state that hasn’t elected a Democratic senator since 1988.

*Want to learn more about how you can be praying through the Ebola crisis? Our partner World Concern has created a resource to help people respond. Click here to learn how you can pray

In today's forecast: a flower shower.

What We’re Subscribing To
Help The Persecuted’s Prayer Newsletter*

This has been an unexpected source of encouragement to my faith and prayer life.

What's going on in the Middle East can seem far away and distant. But there’s something I can do right now for Christians caught up in the conflict: pray. With this newsletter, I hear specific prayer needs of persecuted believers facing hardships I could never imagine.

Right now, Help The Persecuted is on the ground in countries including Iran, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, sharing prayer requests straight from persecuted Christians.
Learning their needs and joining them in prayer has brought a fresh perspective to my own walk with God. Join me (it’s free).

Jason Woodruff | Founder

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