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ECONOMY

Tariff Tango

The weekend brought more tariff whiplash.

Friday, markets closed out a historically wild week on a high note. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq climbed, and the Dow jumped 619 points following news that President Trump was “optimistic” about a trade deal with China. 

China, apparently, didn’t get the memo. On Saturday, it hiked its retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods from 84% to 125% while noting it was done with tit-for-tat raises, calling anything above 125% a “joke.” Sunday, China’s commerce ministry called on the U.S. to “correct its mistakes” and “return to the right path of mutual respect.”

Meanwhile, Trump announced tariff exemptions for smartphones, computers, and other tech components (think: hard drives, semiconductors, memory chips). Big Tech exhaled a sigh of relief… which was cut short when officials suggested the reprieve would be short-lived.

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Verse to consider whether you’re negotiating with a foreign leader, a difficult coworker, or an overly tired toddler… “Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry for help.”
Psalm 34:14–15 (CSB) (read full passage)

U.S. NEWS

Deportations

Legal battles continue for two high-profile deportation cases.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled that the White House must help “facilitate” the return of Kilmar Abrego and hold additional federal district court proceedings in his case. Abrego, a 29-year-old Salvadoran man, was living in Maryland with protected legal status when he was mistakenly deported to a notorious El Salvador prison and accused of having gang ties.

Meanwhile, on Friday, an immigration judge ruled that Mahmoud Khalil—the Columbia grad student and pro-Palestinian activist who ICE detained last month—can be deported as a national security risk. The judge said Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s determination that his presence could cause “serious foreign policy consequences” was enough to meet deportation standards. Khalil’s lawyers are expected to appeal, and a New Jersey federal judge has temporarily barred his removal.

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
As immigration issues lead to contention, consider the radical inclusivity of the gospel: God’s kingdom has no physical borders, and his mission is to win the worship of all nations.

“‘For just as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, will remain before me’ — this is the Lord’s declaration — ‘so your offspring and your name will remain. All humanity will come to worship me from one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another,’ says the Lord.” 
Isaiah 66:22-23 (CSB) (read full passage)

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SPORTS

Jacket, Purse, Hightops

The grass cash is looking greener at the Masters this year.

Entering the final day in Augusta, GA, Rory McIlroy was in pole position. The Northern Irishman kept it interesting, topping 3-time second-place finisher Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff to complete a career Grand Slam (winning each of the four major championships: Masters, PGA, U.S. Open, British Open).

In addition to the iconic green blazer, McIlroy got a hefty purse. Saturday, Augusta unveiled that winnings will total $21M—a $1M increase from last year. McIlroy will take home a crisp $4.2M. 

On the court, the NBA’s season ended for 10 teams yesterday, while 20 others are driving into the postseason. The Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics (reigning champs), and Cleveland Cavaliers are favored to nab the Larry O’Brien trophy this June.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Following a champion can be a thrilling experience, but their run always ends. Eventually, your GOAT will be unseated by the next rising sports star. But God’s glory will never be challenged, and it never ends. Jesus is the center of a glory powerful enough to light the new heavens and new earth… forever.

“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” 
Revelation 21:23 (CSB) (read full passage)

Tragedy struck northeastern Ukraine on Palm Sunday morning when two Russian ballistic missiles hit the bustling city center of Sumy, killing at least 34 (including 2 children) and injuring 117. The attack comes on the heels of U.S. diplomats’ peace-planning meeting with Russian President Putin on Friday; Zelenskyy called for a “tough” response from other nations to Russia’s “deranged” aggression.
 

Police arrested a 38-year-old man suspected of setting fire to the Pennsylvania governor's mansion. Governor Josh Shapiro (D-PA) said police evacuated him and his family around 2 a.m. Sunday morning, while firefighters extinguished the flames. No one was injured, but part of the home sustained major damage. The suspect faces charges of attempted murder, terrorism, and aggravated arson.
 

An American missionary and church planter in South Africa was kidnapped mid-sermon Thursday. Pastor Josh Sullivan was leading a prayer meeting at Fellowship Baptist Church when four armed, masked men stormed in, stole two phones, and abducted Sullivan. Authorities suspect a ransom motive; kidnappings by criminal gangs demanding large ransoms have been rising in South Africa in recent years.
 

Lady Gaga opened Coachella 2025—the annual California music and arts festival—with a two-hour performance Friday that received mixed reviews; fans called it iconic, while critics called it “unsettling” and “satanic.” The first of the festival’s two weekends also saw surprise appearances by Queen’s Sir Brian May performing with Benson Boone and… Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) talkin’ politics with young folk.
 

Beijing residents were told to stay inside—or risk becoming human kites. Winds up to 93 mph hit northern China this weekend, toppling trees, canceling over 800 flights, and shutting down trains, parks, and historic sites. Officials warned people under 50kg (110lbs) could be “easily blown away” and advised all residents to avoid non-essential travel.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Art... but make it hairy.

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