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The blockade on the Strait of Hormuz has entered day three.

The U.S. Navy began blocking Iranian ports Monday after weekend peace talks in Pakistan stalled, with VP JD Vance saying Iran refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions. The blockade specifically targets vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports—ships transiting the strait to non-Iranian ports remain free to pass. 

Iran called the move piracy, warning that no Gulf ports would be safe if Iranian ships were threatened. Oil prices surged nearly 8% Monday, topping $100/barrel. 

U.S. allies are pulling back. Britain’s PM Keir Starmer said the U.K. won’t be “dragged in” to the war and announced, alongside France, a multinational conference aiming to reopen the strait. Pakistan, which brokered the current ceasefire, is pushing to resume talks before it expires next week.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Governments have different things on their agenda than God’s kingdom does. As global powers maneuver to have their way, God’s agenda is clear and unchanging. 

“What does the LORD your God ask of you except to fear the LORD your God by walking in all his ways, to love him, and to worship the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul? Keep the LORD’s commands and statutes I am giving you today, for your own good.”
Deuteronomy 10:12–13 (CSB) (read full passage)

Seats are emptying in the House of Representatives as misconduct allegations spark bipartisan calls for resignations.

Congressmen Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX) both announced they were stepping down Monday amid separate allegations of sexual misconduct. Swalwell had suspended his California gubernatorial campaign Sunday following multiple allegations—including from a fifth woman who came forward yesterday—which he denies. Gonzales was facing an expulsion vote after admitting to having an affair with an aide earlier this year. 

Some in Congress are calling for two other ethically embroiled lawmakers to resign: Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL), who’s being investigated over financial and sexual misconduct allegations, and Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), who’s facing trial later this month for fraud charges; both deny any wrongdoing. 

The new vacancies could complicate the future of the already-razor-thin GOP House majority come November.

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
We shouldn't allow political outcomes to consume our thoughts, direct our emotions, or dull our hope. Government may change, but our mission remains the same: love God and love others. 

“Jesus answered, ‘The most important [commandment] is “Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other command greater than these.’” 
Mark 12:29-31 (CSB) (read full passage)

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The NBA postseason has tipped off, and the WNBA’s got some new Ws.

The quest for the Larry O’Brien trophy began yesterday with the first two games of the SoFi Play-in Tournament. Follow the bracket-finalizing mini playoffs here.

Round one of the playoffs starts Saturday with the #1-seed OKC Thunder attempting to strike back-to-back titles. Third-year 7’4” French unicorn phenom Victor Wembanyama will make his postseason debut as #2 San Antonio returns to the playoffs after a 6-year hiatus (watch Wemby work). 

Meanwhile, in the WNBA’s post-postseason, the Dallas Wings drafted UConn guard Azzi Fudd first overall, reuniting her with 2025’s #1 pick and former college teammate, Paige Bueckers. After the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, Fudd will make $500K, >6x Bueckers’ rookie salary.

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Verse to consider whether life has you feeling like a #1 seed or like you're struggling to even make the bracket… "He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God."
Psalm 62:6-7 (CSB) (read full passage)

President Trump and Pope Leo XIV are in a pon-tiff. On Sunday, Trump responded to Leo’s recent Iran-War critiques, calling him “weak.” The pontiff said he was "not afraid" and promised to keep promoting peace. Meanwhile, POTUS drew bipartisan criticism for a posted-then-deleted AI image appearing to depict himself as a Christlike healer—Trump said it was him as a doctor.

President Trump’s $10B defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal was dismissed Monday. A federal judge ruled Trump came “nowhere close” to proving WSJ acted with “actual malice” when it published a July 2025 article claiming he sent Jeffrey Epstein a “bawdy” birthday letter. The ruling didn’t address the article’s accuracy, and #47’s lawyers say they’ll refile by April 27’s deadline.

Pablo Escobar left behind a lot of problems… including ~170 hippopotamuses. Colombia has approved a $2M plan to cull up to 80 descendants of the late drug lord’s hippos imported for his private zoo in the ‘80s. Their population ballooned, threatening native wildlife and local villagers, and was projected to top 1,000 by 2035 without intervention.

There’s new beverage buzz: McDonald’s and Starbucks have announced energizing additions to their drink menus. Starbucks launched extra-caffeinated and caffeine-free versions of its refreshers last week, while McDonald's is releasing dirty sodas and refreshers later this month and energy drinks this summer. The peppy potables aim to help Starbies and Mickey D’s compete with chains like Dutch Bros, Sonic, and 7 Brew.

We can feel it coming in the air tonight… and it’s the 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. The class of 2026 was announced during Monday’s Hall of Fame-themed episode of “American Idol” and includes Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Oasis, Wu-Tang Clan, and others. The induction ceremony is set for November 14 in Los Angeles. Anyway… here’s “Wonderwall.”

When it's finally sunny outside...

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