Read Time: 5 min 42 sec | Listen to Podcast

U.S. NEWS

Trade Talks

Tariffs are back on for America’s top three trade partners. 

President Trump said yesterday that Canada, Mexico, and China—which together account for 40% of U.S. imports—are still not doing enough to stop the flow of drugs into the U.S. 

He announced that a 25% tax on imports from Mexico and Canada will go into effect on March 4 “as scheduled.” (The tariffs had been paused after the American neighbors promised measures like sending more troops to the border.) China—where Trump says “a large percentage” of fentanyl is made—also faces an additional 10% tariff next week on top of the 10% imposed earlier this month.

Proponents see tariffs as a way of spurring U.S. manufacturing and securing supply lines, while critics warn they could stoke inflation and harm the economy.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Too often we let temporary, passing things like the ups and downs of the market control us. Seeking to steward money well is a good thing, but keep your focus on the Giver rather than the gifts. 

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” 
2 Corinthians 8:9 (CSB) (read full passage)

U.S. NEWS

Bench Press

The Supreme Court has had a busy week. 

On Tuesday, the Supremes granted the White House’s request to keep $1.5B in USAID funds temporarily frozen, overruling a lower court. The administration said it’s eliminating 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts in an effort to “use taxpayer dollars wisely to advance American interests,” saying much of the aid is a waste of money. Critics say the cuts will cause a rise in global starvation and suffering.

Wednesday, the Court heard a “reverse discrimination” claim. Marlean Ames unsuccessfully sued Ohio officials—alleging that she was passed over for a promotion, then demoted, because she’s straight—and wants lower courts to reexamine her case. Justices across the ideological aisle appeared sympathetic, with Justice Sotomayor saying “something’s suspicious,” and Justice Kavanaugh stating, “discrimination…whether you are gay or straight, is prohibited.”

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CHOOSE HUMILITY
Culturally hot topics frequently make people think, speak, and act poorly… including us. We can respect others and represent God better if we are quick to listen and slow to speak.

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.” 
James 3:17 (CSB) (read full passage)

FROM OUR PARTNERS

A Story Bigger Than Shamrocks

Before he became a symbol of all things Irish, St. Patrick was a captive turned courageous missionary.

As a boy, Patrick was kidnapped by pirates and enslaved in modern-day Ireland. While tending sheep, he remembered Bible stories from his dad and gave his life to Christ. After escaping back home to Britain, God called him to do what most would consider unthinkable––return to Ireland and share the gospel with the very people who enslaved him.

Through courage and faith, Patrick brought the message of salvation to Ireland despite facing incredible opposition. 

Introduce your kids to St. Patrick and his inspiring true story of faith and forgiveness. Snag your free copy of Patrick: God’s Courageous Captive today (while supplies last)!

POLITICS

Secretaries Assemble

President Trump’s cabinet 2.0 met for the first time Wednesday. 

Presidential advisor Elon Musk got the floor first, sporting a “tech support” t-shirt. Musk argued that the country would go “bankrupt” without massive cuts, admitting that the cutting process “won’t be perfect.” His example: the department accidentally canceled a USAID Ebola prevention grant “very briefly.”

The conversation then turned to the U.S.’s impending agreement with Ukraine: a bilateral rare-earth minerals deal designed to help American taxpayers “get their money back” for continued military aid.

Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy wants security guarantees from Uncle Sam in exchange for shared profits from Ukraine’s state-owned natural resources (used in electronics and EV production). President Trump said guarantees aren’t part of the deal because neighborhood security is Europe’s responsibility. Zelenskyy’s headed to Washington today to finalize the deal. 

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Verse to consider whether your work meeting is a slam dunk or an endless string of rabbit trails… “The slacker craves, yet has nothing, but the diligent is fully satisfied.”
Proverbs 13:4 (CSB) (read full passage)

House Republicans passed a budget framework backing Trump’s domestic policy agenda Tuesday. The 217-215 vote, seen as a big dub for Speaker Johnson (R-LA), mainly fell along party lines. The Senate passed its own plan last week, and now the chambers begin a (potentially lengthy) process of reconciling their budget plans for security, taxes, energy, and more.
 

A measles outbreak in Texas has led to the death of an unvaccinated school-aged child—the first U.S. measles fatality since 2015—and at least 18 hospitalizations. An average of ~200 measles cases have occurred annually over the last 20 years; so far this year, officials report over 124 cases, primarily affecting children in under-vaccinated areas.
 

Hollywood’s mourning. Yesterday, Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman (95), his wife, and a dog were found dead in their New Mexico home. Authorities didn’t find signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, calling their deaths “suspicious enough” to investigate thoroughly. A day earlier, actress Michelle Trachtenberg (39) was found dead in her Manhattan apartment, potentially having suffered complications from a recent liver transplant.
 

Nvidia sales are hard to compute. In their first earnings report since the debut of DeepSeek (the low-cost, open-source Chinese AI model), Nvidia reported $39.3 billion in revenue, up a massive 78% from last quarter. The AI chipmaker painted a rosy picture of the future, but investors were unimpressed by declining gross margins, sending the stock tumbling 8.5%.
 

Phase one of the Gaza ceasefire deal is complete. In the last exchange of the six-week pause, Hamas sent the coffins of four hostages back to Israel on Wednesday night; Israel then released over 600 Palestinian prisoners. Egypt said “intensive discussions” have begun in Cairo to negotiate phase two terms and keep the fragile ceasefire intact.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Elephant pulls the prank of the century…

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