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U.S. NEWS

Base Shooting

A U.S. Army sergeant allegedly shot and wounded five fellow soldiers at Fort Stewart, Georgia, on Wednesday. 

The suspect, a 28-year-old automated logistics sergeant with no combat history, reportedly used his personal handgun. Law enforcement was dispatched to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area at 10:56 a.m., the base was locked down by 11:04 a.m., and the suspect was in custody by 11:35 a.m. Three of the wounded required surgery; all are in stable condition and expected to recover.

Other soldiers “immediately intervened” and “without a doubt, prevented further casualties.” Officials say the suspect had a previous DUI arrest that was unknown to his chain of command. 

The FBI and the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division are investigating the incident; a motive has not been identified.

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RADIATE HOPE
Even in the most structured and disciplined places in this world, sin and brokenness—and their painful consequences—are still present. But Christians can find hope in the promise that one day, the consequences of brokenness will be no more and all will be made right. 

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.” 
Revelation 21:4 (CSB) (read full passage)

ECONOMY

Turning Russia’s Ship

The U.S. is hoping some economic pain will steer Russia off the warpath in Ukraine.

Next month, Uncle Sam will auction the most valuable asset seized from Russian oligarchs yet: the Amadea, a 348 ft superyacht worth an estimated $300M (see pics). U.S. Marshals seized the floating mansion from owner Suleyman Kerimov, a close ally of Russian President Putin. 

Seeking to get other countries on board with the pressure campaign, the U.S. is imposing sanctions on Russian trading partners today. India faces a 50% import tax—25% for trade deficit, 25% punishment for buying Russian oil—and New Delhi has vowed to “take all actions necessary to protect its national interests.”

Diplomatic efforts are still afloat; following U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s meeting at the Kremlin on Wednesday, President Trump said there’s a “very good chance” of a Putin-Zelenskyy-Trump parlay.

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Verse to consider when international waters are feeling choppy… “For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us,  and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end.” 
Isaiah 9:6-7 (CSB) (read full passage)

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ECONOMY

Rate Expectations

After months of extensions and negotiations, President Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs are officially, officially in effect. 

As of yesterday, most imported goods now face a minimum 10% baseline tariff, with the average tariffed country seeing a 17% rate. Some countries are really feeling the squeeze: Syria (41%), Laos and Myanmar (40%), and Switzerland (39%)–which is still hoping to negotiate better terms with Uncle Sam. Others reached agreements, including the E.U., Japan, and South Korea (all 15%), and the U.K. (10%). Still others, like China and Mexico, remain in levy limbo, with their rates paused.

Trump didn’t wait to celebrate, posting at midnight yesterday: “Billions of dollars in tariffs are now flowing into… America!”

Industries seem less excited; the new levies have begun disrupting supply chains and are expected to raise prices on a wide range of overseas goods, from TVs to tangerines. 

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Regardless of how tariffs affect the economy, both today and in the long term, their impact doesn’t change the end of the story. Wealth comes and goes—only King Jesus will receive tribute from the whole world. 

“May the kings of Tarshish and the coasts and islands bring tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. Let all kings bow in homage to him, all nations serve him. For he will rescue the poor who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper.” 
Psalm 72:10-12 (CSB) (read full passage)

HHS Secretary RFK Jr is canceling nearly $500M in federal funding for mRNA vaccine research. Kennedy says mRNA vaccines—which can be developed faster than traditional vaccines—are ineffective and announced funding will shift toward “safer, broader vaccine platforms.” Critics say mRNA technology is essential for national security, delivering “safe, scalable vaccines in record time.”
 

ESPN and the NFL are now in league. The owner of the country’s favorite Sunday afternoon activity (aside from post-church naps) acquired a 10% stake in Disney-owned ESPN (worth $2-3B) in exchange for the NFL Network, Redzone, and its fantasy football platform. ESPN is also tag-teaming with the WWE, signing a five-year $1.6B agreement that gives ESPN rights to WrestleMania and SummerSlam.
 

Apple’s taking a bigger bite into domestic manufacturing. CEO Tim Cook and President Trump co-announced plans for Apple to invest another $100B—adding to $500B previously promised—in U.S.-based parts manufacturers (think: glass, semiconductors), though Cook said iPhones will be assembled overseas “for a while.” Trump also proposed 100% tariffs on imported semiconductors… unless companies commit to making them stateside.
 

The first female ump is on deck for the regular season. Major League Baseball is promoting Jen Pawol to work the bases for Saturday’s Marlins-Braves doubleheader and call the balls and strikes for Sunday’s game. Pawol has steadily climbed the umpiring ranks since her pro career began in the Rookie Leagues in 2016.
 

President Trump ordered work to begin on a new (five-years-ahead-of-schedule) census that will not count illegal immigrants. Census data—which has historically included foreign-born survey participants regardless of legal status—determines how House seats are divided among the states every decade. The White House announcement comes amid congressional map-drawing battles that began in Texas and are spreading across the country.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Seals... the original artistic swimmers.

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