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The world’s energy watchdog is breakin' open the piggy bank.

The International Energy Agency, a 32-nation coalition that includes the U.S., agreed Wednesday to release a record 400M barrels of oil from emergency reserves. The move aims to cushion the blow from ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz after a series of attacks on commercial vessels stifled oil flow to less than 10% of prewar levels (see timelapse here), driving Uncle Sam’s gas prices up ~20%. 

The U.S. reported attacking 16 Iranian mine-laying ships Tuesday, while Tehran claimed responsibility for at least one of three strikes in the channel Wednesday.

The 400 million barrels—about one-third of IEA’s stockpile—equals about 20 days of normal strait traffic. It’s over double the previous record release of 182.7 million barrels after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Regardless of whether gas prices have felt like a tiny tap or a big blow to your budget, Christians should seek to give generously of our time, talents, and resources to those in greater need. If you feel called, reach out to your local church to see where help is needed.

“Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.”
Hebrews 13:16 (CSB) (read full passage)

It’s been an eventful week for sports on all kinds of playing surfaces.

On the snow, Team USA has cross-country skied its way to six gold medals in the 2026 Winter Paralympics, including three from 22-time medalist Oksana Masters. 

On the hardwood, Miami big man Bam Adebayo made history with 83 points—the second-most scored in an NBA game—in the Heat’s barnburner win (150-129) against Washington Tuesday (see Bam’s buckets… including 36 sunk free throws). 

Meanwhile, Iran’s men’s soccer team is stepping off the field after Iran prohibited its players from competing in the 2026 World Cup, saying the partially U.S-based tourney is being hosted by a “corrupt regime.” The news comes as its women’s team returned home from a tournament in Australia this week… sans six members, who accepted humanitarian visas to remain in Australia permanently.

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Verse to consider whether sports are a source of joy, disappointment, anxiety, indifference, or all of the above… “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad. Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me; let us exalt his name together.” 
Psalm 34:1-3 (CSB) (read full passage)

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Britain’s saying “cheerio” to Parliament’s last hereditary members.

The U.K.’s legislature is made up of two Houses: Commons, consisting of elected lawmakers, and Lords, consisting of unelected (appointed/entitled/inherited) law reviewers (read more here). 

On Tuesday, Parliament voted to abolish the 92 House of Lords seats still held simply by birthright, fulfilling the current government’s promise that “no one should sit in our parliament by way of an inherited title.” The move finishes a 1999 reform, which evicted most hereditary peers but left 92 as a temporary compromise.

Some conservatives lamented the close of the 700-year-old chapter, saying many hereditary nobles “served their nation faithfully” over the centuries. But not all hereditaries are out; 15 will be offered life peerages (think: same seat, fresh paperwork), the sweetener that helped secure Tuesday’s vote.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Whether the goings-on of foreign governments are intriguing or of little interest to you, Christians’ ultimate allegiance is not to any earthly government. We are citizens of a heavenly kingdom with an always-trustworthy heavenly King. 

“Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself. So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.”  
Philippians 3:20-4:1 (CSB) (read full passage)

An armed man rammed a vehicle into a Detroit-area synagogue yesterday. The driver crashed into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township with what authorities say appeared to be a large amount of explosives. After the crash, security at the building—which has a childcare center and school—reportedly opened fire, fatally shooting the suspect. A motive has yet to be determined; no kids or staff were injured.

Another severe weather outbreak killed at least two in the Midwest, just days after a deadlier round left eight dead. The storm system, which put 18 million people under tornado watches, spawned tornadoes that tore through northern Illinois and northwest Indiana on Tuesday. Lake Village, Indiana, took a direct hit, seeing 100+ structures damaged or destroyed.

Three brothers were arrested in connection with an explosion at the U.S. Embassy in Norway. The brothers, Norwegian citizens of Iraqi origin, were arrested on suspicion of “terrorist bombing.” They were not previously known to police, and authorities are still investigating a motive. The bombing caused minor damage to the building but did not result in any injuries.

Forbes released its annual World’s Billionaires list yesterday, and it’s loooong. A record 3,428 people made the cut (400 more than last year), including three 22-year-old AI cofounders—the youngest on the 10-figure roster. Tech and finance dominated the $20.1T list (see it here), with Elon Musk holding down the #1 spot for a second year.

The Iran conflict has gone cyber. On Wednesday, an Iranian-linked hacking group claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on Michigan-based medical equipment company Stryker, saying it was retaliation for the “brutal attack on [Iran’s] Minab school.” The attack shut down Stryker’s operations in 79 countries; the company said the breach has been contained and is “working to restore systems and operations” ASAP.

It's giraffe feeding time...

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Emily Hansen | Partnerships Manager